# "That's important, but...": How Computer Science Researchers Anticipate Unintended Consequences of Their Research Innovations

arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/2303.15536 · HTML: https://mlsanity.com/paper/2303.15536/

## Key facts

- Cited by 8 papers in the map (data through 14 Oct 2026).
- First posted on arXiv 27 Mar 2023.

## Built on by (most cited first, 8 of 8)

- [Farsight: Fostering Responsible AI Awareness During AI Application Prototyping](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2402.15350/) (2024)
- [Understanding the LLM-ification of CHI: Unpacking the Impact of LLMs at CHI through a Systematic Literature Review](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2501.12557/) (2025)
- [Particip-AI: A Democratic Surveying Framework for Anticipating Future AI Use Cases, Harms and Benefits](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2403.14791/) (2024)
- [Rigor in AI: Doing Rigorous AI Work Requires a Broader, Responsible AI-Informed Conception of Rigor](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2506.14652/) (2025)
- [BLIP: Facilitating the Exploration of Undesirable Consequences of Digital Technologies](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2405.06783/) (2024)
- [Data Ethics Emergency Drill: A Toolbox for Discussing Responsible AI for Industry Teams](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2403.10438/) (2024)
- [Societal AI Research Has Become Less Interdisciplinary](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2506.08738/) (2025)
- [Position: The Alignment Community is Unintentionally Building a Censor's Toolkit](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2608.12346/) (2026)

## Abstract (arXiv)

Computer science research has led to many breakthrough innovations but has also been scrutinized for enabling technology that has negative, unintended consequences for society. Given the increasing discussions of ethics in the news and among researchers, we interviewed 20 researchers in various CS sub-disciplines to identify whether and how they consider potential unintended consequences of their research innovations. We show that considering unintended consequences is generally seen as important but rarely practiced. Principal barriers are a lack of formal process and strategy as well as the academic practice that prioritizes fast progress and publications. Drawing on these findings, we discuss approaches to support researchers in routinely considering unintended consequences, from bringing diverse perspectives through community participation to increasing incentives to investigate potential consequences. We intend for our work to pave the way for routine explorations of the societal implications of technological innovations before, during, and after the research process.