Research using artificial intelligence
This section addresses the ethical considerations that arise when artificial intelligence (AI) tools are used in evaluation, social research, or market research. The National Statement 2025 does not contain AI-specific chapters; the questions AI raises are addressed through its general provisions on consent and information (NS 2.2), privacy and identifiability (NS Chapter 3.1, Element 4), data management (NS 3.1.43-3.1.46), research merit and integrity (NS 1.1-1.3), and, where an AI interaction is not disclosed to participants, limited disclosure and deception (NS 2.3.1-2.3.4).
Three distinct uses of AI in research are addressed separately, reflecting where in the research lifecycle the AI is applied:
Where AI is used to generate data (synthetic data)
Ethical considerations for AI-generated synthetic research data.
Where AI is used to collect data (chatbots/agentic interviews)
Ethical considerations when AI interacts directly with participants.
Where AI is used to analyse data and generate findings
Ethical considerations when AI analyses human research data.
The AI transparency checklist provides a practical, phase-by-phase tool for documenting and disclosing AI use across a project, from design through to dissemination.
The use of AI in research and evaluation is evolving rapidly. Where a proposed use of AI is novel or its ethical implications are unclear, researchers are encouraged to contact Iris Ethics for pre-application advice. Applications involving AI are assessed on the same basis as any other application: Iris Ethics does not use AI in the analysis, judgement, or decision-making of ethical review.
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