David Douglas

Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation

Papers

Total Citations

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About

David Douglas is a leading voice in the ethics of emerging technologies, with a particular focus on artificial intelligence and computational design. His work rigorously examines the moral and practical challenges that arise when autonomous systems are integrated into creative and decision-making processes. In his highly cited 2024 paper, "Ethical risk for AI," Douglas provides a crucial conceptual foundation by clarifying what distinguishes ethical risk from social or reputational risk in AI development—a paper that has quickly garnered 13 citations for its timely framework. Prior to this, his 2021 study on "Moral responsibility for computationally designed products" tackled the pressing issue of "responsibility gaps" in products created by evolutionary algorithms. With 10 citations, this work is influential for its analysis of how human accountability can be preserved when machines generate designs. Douglas’s research is essential for engineers, policymakers, and ethicists navigating the complex terrain of responsible innovation, offering clear definitions and actionable insights that bridge theory and practice.