Yves Moreau

I am a concerned scientist doing research at the interface between artificial intelligence and genetics. I actively push back against the creeping development of mass surveillance technology, in particular the abusive deployment of forensic DNA databases. I am also engaged in a reflection on how technology shapes our society, and how to avoid that it further exacerbates inequalities or leads us to an ecological collapse. I encourage scientists and engineers to participate more actively in the social debate, beyond their strict expertise but in a rigorous and open-minded manner.

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Yves Moreau is a professor of bioinformatics at the University of Leuven, Belgium. His team focuses on artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms for the integration of complex data in clinical genomics and drug discovery. He is also a concerned scientist engaged in a reflection on how information technology and artificial intelligence are transforming our world and on how to make sure this transformation is beneficial for all. In particular, he actively pushes back against the emergence of surveillance societies that has been made possible by technological advances. He has been actively investigating abuses of DNA profiling technology in Xinjiang and Kuwait. Beyond pointing at the responsibility of governments, he also demands that tech companies be liable for the reckless supply of technology that is key to human rights abuses. Moreover, he is actively pursuing the reevaluation of unethical biometric research, in particular on forensic population genetics and facial recognition, and has obtained the retraction of 32 unethical journal articles so far. His work has been covered in major scientific journals, such as Nature and Science, and news outlets, such as The New York Times, The Guardian, and the BBC. He received the 2023 Einstein Foundation Individual Award for Promoting Quality in Research. www.yvesmoreau.net