Considering the ethical implications of digital collaboration in the Food Sector

Naomi Jacobs; Steve Brewer; Peter J Craigon; Jeremy Frey; Anabel Gutierrez; Samantha Kanza; Louise Manning; Samuel Munday; Simon Pearson; Justin Sacks

doi:10.1016/j.patter.2021.100335

Considering the ethical implications of digital collaboration in the Food Sector

Patterns (N Y). 2021 Nov 12;2(11):100335. doi: 10.1016/j.patter.2021.100335.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Imagination Lancaster, LICA, Lancaster University, Lancaster, Lancashire LA1 4YW, UK.
² The Lincoln Institute of Agri-Food Technology, University of Lincoln, Lincoln LN1 2LG, UK.
³ Future Food Beacon of Excellence and School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Nottingham LE12 5RD, UK.
⁴ School of Chemistry, Faculty of Engineering & Physical Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK.
⁵ School of Business and Management, Royal Holloway University of London, Egham TW20 0EX, UK.
⁶ Royal Agricultural University, Cirencester GL7 6JS, UK.

Abstract

The Internet of Food Things Network⁺ (IoFT) and the Artificial Intelligence and Augmented Intelligence for Automated Investigation for Scientific Discovery Network⁺ (AI3SD) brought together an interdisciplinary multi-institution working group to create an ethical framework for digital collaboration in the food industry. This will enable the exploration of implications and consequences (both intentional and unintentional) of using cutting-edge technologies to support the implementation of data trusts and other forms of digital collaboration in the food sector. This article describes how we identified areas for ethical consideration with respect to digital collaboration and the use of Industry 4.0 technologies in the food sector and describes the different interdisciplinary methodologies being used to produce this framework. The research questions and objectives that are being addressed by the working group are laid out, with a report on our ongoing work. The article concludes with recommendations about working on projects in this area.

Keywords: card-based tools; design fiction; digital collaboration; ethics; food; fourth industrial revolution; supply chains; transparency; trust.

Publication types

Review