Understanding Human-Computer Collaborations: Implications to scientific research and regimes of expertise
Understanding Human-Computer Collaborations: Implications to scientific research and regimes of expertise
Wednesday, 9 July 2025: 13:00-14:45
Location: SJES020 (Faculty of Legal, Economic, and Social Sciences (JES))
RC23 Sociology of Science and Technology (host committee) Language: English
This RC23 open panel investigates the growing significance of human-computer collaborations in scientific research and their implications for regimes of expertise. From AI-driven data analysis to algorithmic decision-making, the integration of computational tools is reshaping the production and validation of scientific knowledge. These collaborations challenge traditional boundaries between human expertise and machine capabilities, raising critical questions about authority, accountability, and epistemic legitimacy in science and beyond. Panelists will explore topics such as the sociotechnical construction of algorithms as "expert" actors, the shifting role of researchers in computationally intensive fields, and the broader societal impacts of delegating expertise to machines. Case studies from diverse domains—including biomedical research, climate modeling, and digital humanities—will highlight the opportunities and tensions inherent in these hybrid arrangements. The session will engage with theoretical and empirical perspectives to address pressing questions: How do human-computer collaborations redefine notions of expertise and trust in scientific practice? What are the ethical and regulatory implications of these shifts? And how do these collaborations interact with broader sociopolitical structures, including power dynamics, inequality, and global technological infrastructures?
Session Organizer:
Oral Presentations