Scientific/Medical Integrity and the Future


Over time, we’ve witnessed the problems or a number of peer-reviewed papers being recalled.  A latest instance as reported in quite a few locations, Reference 1 states: “The Dana-Farber Most cancers Institute (SCFI), an affiliate of Harvard Medical Faculty, is searching for to retract six scientific research and proper 31 others that had been printed by the institute’s high researchers, together with its CEO. The researchers are accused of manipulating knowledge photos with easy strategies, primarily with copy-and-paste in picture enhancing software program, equivalent to Adobe Photoshop.”

There have been allegations of knowledge manipulation in 57 SFCI-led research. [Ref. 2] There was a rise within the utility of AI functions being employed to verify for fraudulent imagery.  In an editorial [Ref. 3] in Science, they assert that they’re utilizing Proofig to search for picture duplication or different varieties of picture modifications.  Additionally they make use of iThenticate for plagiarism detection. 

In a associated space, AI is working into copyright problem with its generated photos.  The IEEE Spectrum journal [Ref. 4] has an article on the potential for copyright violations.  One instance exhibits a generated article nearly 90% similar in phrases and sentences from a New Youk Occasions article.   Whereas this text references this kind of end result to plagiaristic outputs, it’s plagiarism if an individual did that.  The power of AI generated texts to create imaginary references has been referenced as having hallucinatory output.  A key query that was generated was: is there any approach for a consumer of the generative AI to make sure there’s not copyright infringement or plagiarism?  A very good query that can should be answered.  Within the analysis of photos, the researchers discovered a whole lot of situations the place there was little or no distinction for recognizable characters in video and video games.  This evaluation was based mostly on a really restricted research of topics (a couple of hundred). 

Whereas using Generative AI is turning into extra widespread, even cautious critiques of the information and footage won’t forestall the misuse of the outcomes.  Within the April 2020 Weblog [Ref. 5] the subject of scientific integrity and COVID-19 was lined intimately.  The important thing factors had been that even with a strong analysis basis the outcomes might be topic to misinterpretation by people who find themselves unfamiliar with numerous strategies of analyzing the information.  One other level in that weblog is that when the outcomes of an evaluation are diminished to a single quantity, the potential for creating inappropriate impressions is excessive.  So, the assemble of the mannequin and the assumptions are essential.

This brings up one other query of what are the underneath pinnings of Synthetic Intelligence applications.  What are the algorithms which might be being employed AND do these algorithms work together with one another.  As described in earlier blogs involving skilled programs work within the Nineteen Eighties, the skilled system relies on the atmosphere (knowledge analyzed) it was created for.  The skilled programs then improved its efficiency based mostly on the brand new knowledge acquired although its operation.  It is a drawback of self-biasing.  AI applications are constructed on a base of data.  Typically the information absorbed is protected, e.g., the New York Occasions database.  So, all the information may not be out there.  If one had been to give attention to a single database and develop that for projecting future data, there could be vital distinction in information projection relying on if the information had been obtained from CNN or Fox Information. 

The functions and even the event of latest instruments for creating studies and the complementary applications for evaluating the veracity of the data offered are nonetheless within the very early levels of growth.  This 12 months, 2024, ought to witness some attention-grabbing growth within the utility of AI instruments.  Vital help in drugs is being supplied already and extra needs to be coming.  It simply requires cautious utility of the applications and understanding the information.

References:

  1. https://arstechnica.com/science/2024/01/top-harvard-cancer-researchers-accused-of-scientific-fraud-37-studies-affected/
  2. https://arstechnica.com/science/2024/01/all-science-journals-will-now-do-an-ai-powered-check-for-image-fraud/
  3. https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adn7530
  4. https://spectrum.ieee.org/midjourney-copyright
  5. http://www.nano-blog.com/?p=370

About Walt

I’ve been concerned in numerous features of nanotechnology because the late Seventies. My curiosity in selling nano-safety started in 2006 and produced a white paper in 2007 explaining the 4 pillars of nano-safety. I’m a expertise futurist and is at present targeted on nanoelectronics, single digit nanomaterials, and 3D printing on the nanoscale. My expertise contains three startups, two of which I based, 13 years at SEMATECH, the place I used to be a Senior Fellow of the technical employees once I left, and 12 years at Basic Electrical with 9 of them on company employees. I’ve a Ph.D. from the College of Texas at Austin, an MBA from James Madison College, and a B.S. in Physics from the Illinois Institute of Know-how.

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