Advancing Ethical and Explainable AI in Cognitive Computing: Future Directions

Cognitive computing encompasses a dynamic field within computer science, dedicating its focus to developing systems capable of executing tasks typically requiring human cognition, such as natural language processing, pattern recognition, and decision making. As these systems aim to simulate human brain functions, they employ advanced techniques in machine learning, deep learning, and computer vision. The integration of cognitive computing with big data analytics and the Internet of Things (IoT) enhances its potential, powering applications across diverse sectors like healthcare, finance, customer service, and education. However, despite its transformative impacts, cognitive computing faces critical challenges concerning ethical use and the need for transparent AI systems.

This Research Topic aims to pioneer advancements in cognitive computing, focusing on building an ecosystem of ethical, explainable, and functional AI systems. It specifically addresses the urgent need for frameworks that support responsible AI deployment and initiatives enhancing user trust through Explainable AI (XAI). The aspirations are to mitigate concerns, fortify system transparency, and facilitate a seamless integration of cognitive technologies in daily applications.

To gather further insights into the ethical and functional boundaries of this field, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:

- Innovative Approaches and Solutions in Cognitive Computing
- Challenges and Ethical Dilemmas in AI Deployment
- Specific Cognitive Computing Applications:
- Enhancing Healthcare through Data-Driven Decisions
- Boosting Efficiency in Customer Service Operations
- Personalizing Education with AI Algorithms
- Advancing Autonomy in Transportation
- Innovations in Object Recognition and Autonomous Navigation
- Natural Language Processing to Humanize Robot Interactions
- Integrating Cognitive Technologies in Robotics for Enhanced Responsiveness

The scope of this topic spans a broad spectrum of cognitive computing applications, emphasizing the need for ethical considerations and the development of systems that users can trust and understand easily. Each contribution will play a pivotal role in shaping the next generation of cognitive technologies that interact more naturally with humans and more effectively address real-world problems.

Keywords: Cognitive computing, Natural language processing (NLP), Computer vision, Human-computer interaction, machine learning (ML), deep learning (DL)

Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.