Science and Technology Studies, AI and the Research Sector: Questions of Identity

In various normative contexts, individuals take on diverse roles, such as ‘pa- tient’, ‘consumer’ or ‘citizen’. Social sciences contribute significantly to shaping these representations, often with normative consequences. The rise of digital technologies has profoundly impacted scientific research, influencing data collection, processing and analytics, and thereby impinging on identity construction. Computational models, particularly artificial intelligence and machine-learning systems, play a pivotal role in reshaping individuals’ identities, leading to issues of discrimination and inequality. The prevalence of bias in data processed by computational systems contributes to these challenges. Addressing this issue becomes crucial, prompting varied responses explored in extensive studies. Against this backdrop, EU institutions’ policies advocat- ing Open Science and Fair Research Data emerge as potential solutions to mitigate bias, discrimination and inequality in scientific research. The chapter intends to shed light on the relationship between Open Science policies, scientific research and the construction of individuals’ identities, investigating the implications concerning the engendering of bias and the emergence of forms of discrimination.