On 9 September 2026 the citizen science platform Zooniverse launched its first AI Ethics Framework. It offers principles and practical recommendations for the responsible use of AI and machine learning in citizen science and participatory research.
The framework has three parts: key principles, actions taken by the platform itself, and recommendations for project teams. It focuses on transparency, participant choice and shared expectations in projects that use AI.
It was developed with support from the Kavli Foundation and in consultation with volunteers, project teams and experts in AI, ethics, communications and participatory research. Zooniverse describes it as a living framework that will be updated.
The framework is useful for anyone planning a citizen science project in which data collected or labelled by volunteers is used to train AI models.
Zooniverse AI Ethics Framework
Image: Hayley Roberts / Zooniverse