Ethical AI in Social Sciences Research: Are We Gatekeepers or Revolutionaries?

The rapid expansion of artificial intelligence (AI) in social sciences research introduces both transformative potential and critical ethical dilemmas. This study examines the role of researchers as either ethical gatekeepers or pioneers of AI-driven change. Through a bibliometric analysis of 464 records from the Web of Science Core Collection, we identify key themes in ethical AI discourse using VOSviewer Version 1.6.20. The findings highlight dominant ethical concerns, including governance, bias, transparency, and fairness, emphasizing the need for interdisciplinary collaborations and responsible AI frameworks. While AI offers efficiency and scalability in research, unresolved issues related to algorithmic bias, governance, and public trust persist. The overlay visualization underscores emerging trends such as generative AI, policy-driven governance, and ethical accountability frameworks. This study calls for a shift from passive oversight to proactive ethical stewardship in AI-driven social science research.