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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Personal Genomics Zone •

🔬 Fireside Chat: AI, Genomics & the Ethics of Technology

Yves shares his journey from engineering and neural networks to bioinformatics and drug discovery, and his growing preoccupation with the social consequences of technology. From his work with Carta Academica — a Belgian academic network engaged in public debate — to his activism against the misuse of forensic genetics, Yves offers a compelling vision of what it means to be a scientist with conscience.
Critical Data Discourses •

Human genetics research in the age of mass surveillance

DNA databases are essential for human genetic research and its biomedical applications. Documented instances of misuse include forensic research harmful to vulnerable ethnic groups, unethical practices by law enforcement and businesses, racist pseudoscience, and eugenics. In the area of forensic genetics, a lot of unethical research has appeared in academic journals from all major publishers. Numerous retractions have been obtained in the past few years, but this issue has shown major dysfunctions in the research integrity process of academic publishers.
Einstein Foundation Berlin •

[Podcast] Yves Moreau: AI and ethics: Do they go together?

If you ask Yves Moreau, we are drunk teenagers losing control of the car we are driving – at least when it comes to artificial intelligence. The 2023 Einstein Foundation Individual Award winner studies biomedical DNA data and describes himself as a “concerned scientist.” In this metaphor-packed episode of #AskDifferent, he describes the cultural shift he would like to see regarding the way we deal with artificial intelligence, how he helped push prestigious scientific journals to retract articles, and what the future holds for ethical standards in technological engineering.
Einstein Foundation Berlin •

[Webinar] Meet the 2023 Einstein Foundation Award winners

Meet the 2023 winners of the Einstein Foundation Award for Promoting Quality in Research: On November 20, 2023 we invited viewers to a virtual Meet & Greet with Yves Moreau (winner of the Individual Award), the Berkeley Initiative for Transparency in the Social Sciences (BITSS) (Institutional Award), and Anne Gärtner (Responsible Research Assessment Initiative, Winner Early Career Award). The event was hosted by Patrick Forscher (Early Career Award Finalist 2021) and the Secretary of the Einstein Foundation Award, Ulrich Dirnagl.
NPR •

[Radio] U.S. lifts sanctions on Chinese police institute accused of human rights abuses

YVES MOREAU: Population genetics is trying to understand how populations vary across the world. I mean, obviously, we can just look at people's faces across the world, and we see, well, there are differences. And so trying to understand the link between the changes, subtle changes in genetics. FENG: That's population genetics. And China's Institute of Forensic Science, as it's called, which studies this, is run by the Ministry of Public Security, China's equivalent of the FBI. It is beefing up its genetic sequencing capabilities, trying to differentiate ethnic groups within China from their DNA found at crime scenes. Moreau found documentation showing this. MOREAU: This was very surprising. The extent of purchases, the procurement efforts were very, very substantial.
 VRT Radio 1 •

[Radio] Wetenschappers zetten gevaren AI naast die van kernoorlog: "Weten niet genoeg wat de impact is van recente doorbraken"

Een groep bedrijfsleiders en wetenschappers heeft dinsdag opgeroepen om van "het risico van uitsterven door artificiële intelligentie" een wereldwijde prioriteit te maken, "naast andere maatschappijrisico's zoals pandemieën en kernoorlogen". Yves Moreau, professor aan de KU Leuven, gespecialiseerd in artificiële intelligentie in de genetica, heeft het statement ook ondertekend. Hij legt uit waarom.
International Tibet Network •

[Panel] China's DNA Steal: Thermo Fisher and the Ethics of DNA Collection in Tibet

As part of a 'HANDS OFF TIBETANS' DNA' Global Week of Action an expert panel of researchers, scientists and activists will discuss the ethics of mass DNA collection in Tibet, primarily focusing on breaking down Thermo Fisher's corporate responsibility and their involvement in China’s newest attack on Tibetan identity. Panelists will be discussing issues of privacy and consent, including how this DNA sampling and collection is being used to reinforce systemic racism and discrimination by China against Tibetans.
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