#1091 Vlasta Sikimić: Cognitive Diversity in Science, and the Ethics of AI

May 1, 2025

Dr. Vlasta Sikimić, an Assistant Professor at the Eindhoven University of Technology, discusses the significance of cognitive diversity in scientific research. She explains how varied perspectives enhance creativity and promote robust inquiry. The conversation delves into the ethical implications of AI, emphasizing the need for transparency and fairness to mitigate biases. Sikimić advocates for inclusion in academia and calls for regulatory frameworks that prioritize human dignity. Her insights reveal the complex interplay between philosophy, ethics, and technological advancement.

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INSIGHT

Cognitive and Epistemic Diversity Matter

Cognitive diversity in science includes different ways of reasoning and epistemic diversity involving background knowledge and assumptions.
Diversity in thought helps groups produce more appropriate and comprehensive knowledge.

ANECDOTE

Research Methods and Positionality

Vlasta illustrates cognitive diversity using differences in research methods like qualitative vs quantitative psychology.
She emphasizes how positionality and lived experiences, such as gender or culture, offer unique insights often missed otherwise.

INSIGHT

Theoretical Diversity Enhances Science

Epistemic diversity includes different philosophical approaches like idealism or empiricism shaping scientific inquiry.
Diverse cognitive perspectives challenge and sharpen ideas, ultimately improving understanding and knowledge.

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Dr. Vlasta Sikimić is an Assistant Professor at the Eindhoven University of Technology. Her research focus is on Philosophy of Science, Philosophy of AI, Empirical Philosophy, Logic, Science Policy, and Animal Ethics. More specifically, she works on data-driven approaches to optimization of scientific reasoning. Previously, she worked at the Weizsäcker Center (University of Tübingen), the Institute for Philosophy of the Faculty of Philosophy (University of Belgrade), she was an associate member of the Laboratory for Experimental Psychology (University of Belgrade), etc.

In this episode, we start by talking about cognitive diversity in science. We discuss what it is, as well as epistemic diversity. We discuss whether political diversity is important, and how to achieve cognitive diversity. We then delve into the ethics of AI, and talk about ethical principles and guidelines for AI, high-risk AI systems, and robust and accountable AI.

A HUGE THANK YOU TO MY PATRONS/SUPPORTERS: PER HELGE LARSEN, JERRY MULLER, BERNARDO SEIXAS, ADAM KESSEL, MATTHEW WHITINGBIRD, ARNAUD WOLFF, TIM HOLLOSY, HENRIK AHLENIUS, FILIP FORS CONNOLLY, ROBERT WINDHAGER, RUI INACIO, ZOOP, MARCO NEVES, COLIN HOLBROOK, PHIL KAVANAGH, SAMUEL ANDREEFF, FRANCIS FORDE, TIAGO NUNES, FERGAL CUSSEN, HAL HERZOG, NUNO MACHADO, JONATHAN LEIBRANT, JOÃO LINHARES, STANTON T, SAMUEL CORREA, ERIK HAINES, MARK SMITH, JOÃO EIRA, TOM HUMMEL, SARDUS FRANCE, DAVID SLOAN WILSON, YACILA DEZA-ARAUJO, ROMAIN ROCH, DIEGO LONDOÑO CORREA, YANICK PUNTER, CHARLOTTE BLEASE, NICOLE BARBARO, ADAM HUNT, PAWEL OSTASZEWSKI, NELLEKE BAK, GUY MADISON, GARY G HELLMANN, SAIMA AFZAL, ADRIAN JAEGGI, PAULO TOLENTINO, JOÃO BARBOSA, JULIAN PRICE, EDWARD HALL, HEDIN BRØNNER, DOUGLAS FRY, FRANCA BORTOLOTTI, GABRIEL PONS CORTÈS, URSULA LITZCKE, SCOTT, ZACHARY FISH, TIM DUFFY, SUNNY SMITH, JON WISMAN, WILLIAM BUCKNER, PAUL-GEORGE ARNAUD, LUKE GLOWACKI, GEORGIOS THEOPHANOUS, CHRIS WILLIAMSON, PETER WOLOSZYN, DAVID WILLIAMS, DIOGO COSTA, ALEX CHAU, AMAURI MARTÍNEZ, CORALIE CHEVALLIER, BANGALORE ATHEISTS, LARRY D. LEE JR., OLD HERRINGBONE, MICHAEL BAILEY, DAN SPERBER, ROBERT GRESSIS, IGOR N, JEFF MCMAHAN, JAKE ZUEHL, BARNABAS RADICS, MARK CAMPBELL, TOMAS DAUBNER, LUKE NISSEN, KIMBERLY JOHNSON, JESSICA NOWICKI, LINDA BRANDIN, GEORGE CHORIATIS, VALENTIN STEINMANN, PER KRAULIS, ALEXANDER HUBBARD, BR, MASOUD ALIMOHAMMADI, JONAS HERTNER, URSULA GOODENOUGH, DAVID PINSOF, SEAN NELSON, MIKE LAVIGNE, JOS KNECHT, LUCY, MANVIR SINGH, PETRA WEIMANN, CAROLA FEEST, STARRY, MAURO JÚNIOR, 航豊川, TONY BARRETT, BENJAMIN GELBART, NIKOLAI VISHNEVSKY, STEVEN GANGESTAD, AND TED FARRIS!

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