Sir, – Joe Humphreys’s piece on philosopher Heather Douglas’s call for a “new social contract for science,” emphasising accountability to prevent societal harm, is timely and thought-provoking (“Science without responsibility has broken public trust”, Unthinkable, Opinion & Analysis, December 2nd). As technological advancements accelerate, the monopolisation of innovation by a wealthy elite threatens to deepen societal divides, exacerbating issues such as inequality and misinformation.
Ireland, as a hub for multinational tech companies and a growing leader in AI research, has a unique opportunity to influence global ethical standards. By adopting a forward-looking regulatory framework rooted in fairness and accountability, Ireland could champion this “new social contract for science,” prioritising societal well-being over profit. Such leadership would position Ireland as a global model for balancing innovation with responsibility, ensuring transformative technologies serve humanity rather than exploit it. – Yours, etc,
ENDA CULLEN,
Armagh.