STEMMA International Research Journal

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is profoundly reshaping chemical research by enhancing molecular design, synthesis, spectroscopy, and data analytics. The integration of AI in chemistry extends far beyond computational efficiency—it raises deep ethical and philosophical questions concerning agency, responsibility, creativity, and human oversight. Within the framework of embedded philosophy, this study explores how AIenabled autonomy challenges traditional notions of moral accountability and scientific authorship. It analyzes how predictive screening, generative modeling, and molecular docking systems transform discovery while simultaneously introducing risks of bias, opacity, and dual-use hazards. The ethical dimensions of AI in chemistry are examined through classical paradigms of deontology, consequentialism, and virtue ethics, emphasizing the continued moral responsibility of human operators. Furthermore, the paper reflects on issues of automation bias, human-AI collaboration, and the limits of algorithmic creativity. Governance frameworks such as those proposed by IUPAC, UNESCO, and the European Commission are discussed as foundational efforts toward responsible and sustainable AI practices in chemistry. Education and training reforms are identified as essential to cultivate AI literacy, ethical competence, and crossdisciplinary collaboration among chemists. By addressing both the epistemic opportunities and ethical challenges of AI-assisted chemical research, the study calls for a balanced, human-centric approach to innovation that safeguards scientific integrity and societal welfare.