Applying Inclusive Language to Informatics Research in the Era of Large Language Models

Presentation Time: 01:00 PM - 04:30 PM

Abstract Keywords: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Accessibility, and Health Equity, Health Equity, Large Language Models (LLMs)
Primary Track: Applications

Inclusive language influences how we formulate research questions, recruit study populations, interpret results, communicate our scientific contributions, and engage with the broader community. In Biomedical and Health Informatics, using inclusive language is critical to approaching problems from diverse perspectives and improving health outcomes for all.

In 2023, the AMIA Board of Directors approved the first edition of the Inclusive Language and Context Style Guidelines (ILCSG). These guidelines, managed by the AMIA DEI Communications Subcommittee, aim to support equitable and rigorous science and communications.

Since 2023, the significance of inclusive language has become increasingly apparent as the field adapts to the prominence of Large Language Models (LLMs) and related advancements in Natural Language Processing (NLP). While researchers examine their potential benefits—including patient prioritization and diagnostic accuracy—scientific literature and news media are also calling attention to their harms—such as denial of treatment and reproducing stigmatizing language within clinical settings.

We will lead a Collaborative Workshop to share the ILCSG’s four principles of inclusive language—Plurality, Precision, Transparency, and Destigmatization—and investigate their relevance given overwhelming adoption of LLMs. We'll enhance the audience's awareness and application of the ILCSG in research planning, execution, sharing, and implementation. This workshop also provides an opportunity to receive feedback to improve the ILCSG, emphasizing how LLMs will impact the guidelines going forward. Our workshop goals are to (1) promote the ILCSG as an educational resource, (2) highlight how the ILCSG can inform research involving LLMs, and (3) gather feedback on how the ILCSG can be used in scientific communications.

Speaker(s):
Shefali Haldar
Merck & Co., Inc.

J. Fan, PhD
Mayo Clinic

Vipina K. Keloth, PhD
Yale University

Duo Wei, PhD
Stockton University

Jaysón Davidson, Ph.D.
UCSF

Tiffany Leung, MD, MPH, FACP, FAMIA, FEFIM
JMIR Publications

Mina Ostovari, PhD
University of Virginia

Author(s):
Oliver Bear Walk, PhD - University of Washington;