AI*IM Consent
In general, the AI*IM focus area is about sustainably improving the self-determination and participation of people with cognitive impairments in medicine using inclusive assistance technology and artificial intelligence.
This goal is of great ethical importance: self-determination and participation are human rights, and people with disabilities therefore have a moral and legal right to assistance in exercising these rights.
The AI*IM Consent working group places the ethical dimension of assistive technology at the centre of its research. In a participatory and interdisciplinary manner, it analyses the normative framework conditions and intended consequences of these technologies as well as the corresponding assessments of the people involved (stakeholders).
A research project is already in preparation in cooperation with the VR*IM project, which will address the ethical aspects of using virtual reality to support patients' ability to give consent.
In addition to specific scientific projects, AI*IM Consent sees itself as a contact point for ethical questions and ideas as well as a place for participatory reflection in the focus area.
Spotlight
The working group AI*IM Consent of the focus area will meet at the ZiF in spring 2026 on the topic of „Die Ambivalenz der Autonomie und ihre Auflösung durch die Assistierte Autonomie (A*5)“"!
The aim is to bring together international researchers from philosophy, medical ethics, computer science, sociology, psychology and health sciences as well as experts from their own experience to discuss the ethical tensions between self-determination and the need for support in medical decisions as well as new ways of assisted autonomy.
In three workshops, guidelines, research impulses and participatory formats will be developed to promote the inclusive use of AI assistance systems and strengthen the interdisciplinary profile and networking of AI*IM.
Here you can download a summary of the planned Focus Group A*5 with further information!
Simple language
The AI*IM working group has several working groups.
One of these is the AI*IM Consent working group.
Consent is English and means agreement.
You have to agree before medical examinations. If blood is taken, you have to be asked beforehand whether this is OK. If you say yes, you have consented to the examination.
The AI*IM Consent working group is looking into this question:
- How can technology help?
- What is important and right?
This is also called ethics.
Many people are working together.
For example
- Specialists from the fields of medicine, ethics and technology
- People with learning difficulties
They think together.
- What rules do we need for good technology?
- What do those affected think about this technology?
AI*IM Consent works together with the VR*IM project.
VR*IM is about virtual reality.
In other words, technology that allows you to see or experience things.
Things that are not really there.
The best-known example of virtual reality is VR glasses.
The technology is designed to help patients understand things better.
And the technology should help them to make better decisions.
The AI*IM Consent working group is also a contact point for questions about ethics.
And a place for joint reflection.