Progress Report
Development of “Jizai Hon-yaku-ki (At-will Translator)” connecting various minds based on brain and body functions[6] Ethical, legal, and social issues (ELSI) involved in Jizai Hon-yaku-ki
Progress until FY2024
1. Outline of the project
In R&D Item 6, we analyze the ethical, legal, and social issues (ELSI) involved in this R&D project to make Jizai Hon-yaku-ki socially acceptable.
Since Jizai Hon-yaku-ki builds on emerging biology and neuroscience, it may cause various ethical concerns regarding privacy and unfamiliar forms of communication. Also, our highest priority is to protect the rights of participants in our R&D. Jizai Hon-yaku-ki should reduce — rather than worsen — discrimination against people with developmental conditions.
The primary task of our R&D Item 6 is to investigate these potential issues from theoretical and practical standpoints. This sub-project also aims to provide future-oriented insights into neurodiversity and (supported) communication.
2. Outcome so far
- ELSI Review Meeting with External Experts
- Exchanged opinios and hearing and analyzing concerns with scholars
- Clarification of ELSI in preparation for the creation of guidelines for using “Jizai Hon-yak-ki”
Outcome 1: The second ELSI meeting was held online in June 2024. Dr. Koichi Hashida (RIKEN) was invited as a lecturer and discussed the methods and advantages of distributed management of personal data. In addition, the research and development team (PIs Kitajo and Nakamura) introduced the current status of data management in the research and development of Jizai Hon-yaku-ki, and Professor Sayeko Akeya (University of Tokyo) and Professor Eisuke Nakazawa (University of Tokyo), who have continued to participate since the first meeting, provided expert advice. This meeting clarified the importance of data management in implementing Jizai Hon-yaku-ki.
Outcome 2: Following on from the previous year, we exchanged opinions with the researchers at the general project meetings held in July and December 2024 and March 2025. Following the research presentations at the meetings, we analyzed the concerns and issues of ELSI and shared them with the researchers. In particular, we indicated that in the future, it will be necessary to consider educating the public and even publishing general books on the path to implementing Jizai Hon-yaku-ki in society.
Outcome 3: In creating the guidelines for using Jizai Hon-yaku-ki, the need for a risk assessment regarding privacy became clear. It is assumed that the management of personal data in Jizai Hon-yaku-ki will be one of the most important issues in terms of ELSI countermeasures. Therefore, we considered the ethical management of personal data and shared it with the research and development team.
In this way, by taking an agile approach of collaborating with scientists and engineers to consider ELSI from the early stages of research and development, we are promoting the creation of an environment in which Jizai Hon-yaku-ki is socially accepted.
3. Future plans
We go on with the ongoing collaboration between scholars from various academic disciplines to achieve consensus on important ELSI on our R&D project.
Our R&D Item 6 is broadening further the scope of issues addressed. We also have a plan to compile a recommendation/opinion document, or a “guidebook,” to address various ELSI-related problems attributed to Jizai Hon-yaku-ki and communication aids in general.
(Tohoku U: N. Osumi, S. Hara)