AI-replicas as ethical practice
Introducing an Alternative to Traditional Anonymisation Techniques in Image-Based Research
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 2404409 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Tobias Kamelski (0000-0002-4537-5709, Lingnan University, corresponding author), Francisco Olivos (0000-0001-6395-6593, Lingnan University) |
| Year | 2025 |
| Volume | 25 |
| Issue | 6 |
| Pages | 1300-1325 |
| Publication date | 2025-12-01 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Qualitative Research (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1468-7941 • E-ISSN: 1741-3109 |
| Publisher | SAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER) |
| DOI | 10.1177/14687941241308705 |
| OpenAlex | W4406042139 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 2 |
| References cited | 37 |
This article introduces the use of AI-replicas as an alternative to traditional anonymisation methods in image-based qualitative research. It emphasises the ethical and practical dilemmas posed by current anonymisation methods, such as distortion or loss of emotional and contextual information in images, and proposes the use of AI-replicas to preserve the integrity and authenticity of visual data while ensuring participant anonymity. The article outlines the technological foundations of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and the practical application of Stable Diffusion to generate AI-replicas for anonymisation and fictionalisation purposes. Furthermore, it discusses the potential biases present in generative AI to suggest ways to mitigate these biases through careful prompt engineering and participatory approaches. The introduced approach aims to enhance ethical practices in visual research by providing a method that ensures participant anonymity without compromising the data's qualitative richness and interpretative validity
Anonymity · Citizen journalism · Computer security · Data science · Engineering ethics · Generative grammar · Qualitative research · Social science · Sociology · Computer Science · Engineering · Focus Groups and Qualitative Methods · Participatory Visual Research Methods · Psychology · Qualitative Research Methods and Ethics · Artificial Intelligence
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| Unique citing works | 2 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 2 |
| Citation span | 2025 - 2025 (1) |
| Citation velocity | recent |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 2 |