Ethics Presentation:
Just Because We Can? Ethics in the Age of AI

The rapid integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into research, education, and professional practice presents profound ethical challenges that extend beyond technical considerations of human values, identity, dignity, and development. This presentation critically examines the ethical implications of AI through the guiding frameworks of the Health Professions
Council of South Africa (HPCSA) Code of Ethics and the Code of Ethics for Assessment Centre Practice in South Africa. Together, these frameworks emphasise respect for human dignity, professional competence, accountability, fairness, transparency, and the primacy of human development.
From a research ethics perspective, AI is increasingly shaping how knowledge is generated,
analysed, and disseminated. While AI offers opportunities for efficiency and innovation, it raises ethical concerns related to transparency, bias, authorship, accountability, and scientific integrity. In alignment with HPCSA principles of integrity and professional responsibility, as well as university ethics requirements for rigorous and responsible research, particular attention is given to the ethical obligation of researchers to exercise their own judgment, ensure fairness, and protect the dignity and rights of research participants in AI-assisted research environments.