ELSI

Objective

Recently, in the IT and tech industry, various ethical, legal, and social issues (ELSI) associated with new technologies and concepts have emerged as a result of their social implementation. This has forced many companies, both in Japan and overseas, to confront issues such as AI and ethics, biometrics, and data business and privacy. Here at Mercari, Mercari R4D in particular is taking on the challenge of implementing these kinds of technologies across a wide range of R&D fields in the community. We have always believed that ELSI research, which means giving due consideration to social risk and impact, is an important foundational step toward the future of our R&D activities. In this project, we are working to link the concept of ELSI to practical application, not just within Mercari R4D, but also across the entire Mercari Group.

Source: Mercari Publishes Proprietary Ethical R&D Guidelines Based on Joint Research with Osaka University’s ELSI Center (only available in Japanese)

Overview

Mercari R4D conducts comprehensive research and development on ELSI with its joint research partner, Osaka University Research Center on Ethical, Legal and Social Issues (ELSI Center). Specific initiatives are as follows.

• Enhancement of R&D ethics reviews at Mercari, inc.
• Technology assessments for individual R&D topics
• Divergent exploration of ELSI research across Mercari Group
• Research networking

Furthermore, by actively disclosing and presenting our ELSI knowledge and experience obtained through this research, as well as the collaborative research process itself, we will create opportunities for discussion in the research community and society as a whole. As a result, we hope to contribute to the spread of understanding of ELSI and industry-academia collaboration in the humanities and social sciences.

Source: Mercari Publishes Proprietary Ethical R&D Guidelines Based on Joint Research with Osaka University’s ELSI Center (only available in Japanese)