1. Ethical Commitment
QIST Foundation supports research and innovation that benefit society, respect human values, and uphold scientific integrity. Ethical responsibility is embedded into all research programs and governance processes.
2. Research Ethics Standards
All research activities must adhere to:
- Academic and scientific integrity
- Responsible data stewardship
- Transparency in methods and findings
- Avoidance of conflicts of interest
- Accurate attribution and authorship
- Reproducibility and peer accountability
Research involving sensitive data, computational autonomy, or security systems requires heightened oversight.
3. Security & Safety Requirements
The Foundation enforces stringent safety practices for cryptographic research, autonomous systems, distributed intelligence, and post-quantum security.
All systems must be evaluated for attack surfaces, failure conditions, emergent behaviors, misuse potential, and alignment with responsible computing principles.
4. Compliance Frameworks
The Foundation aligns with:
- International research ethics conventions
- Globally recognized cybersecurity standards
- Emerging frameworks for AI and autonomous systems governance
- Responsible innovation policies
- Applicable local and international regulations
Compliance procedures include internal review, external consultation, and ongoing monitoring.
5. Conflict of Interest Policies
Researchers, contributors, and partners must:
- Disclose financial or institutional conflicts
- Avoid situations where personal interests compromise objectivity
- Ensure independent review when required
6. Contributor COI + Non-commercial Boundary
Contributors producing interpretive or educational publications must follow explicit COI disclosure and non-commercial rules.
- Disclose financial, institutional, consulting, and advisory roles
- Maintain independence: no paid endorsements, vendor positioning, or implied certification language
- Required footer language: “Contributor Commentary — Non-normative / Non-authoritative. The author speaks for themselves and does not represent QIST Foundation. Conflicts of interest are disclosed below.”
7. Whistleblowing & Reporting
The Foundation maintains protected channels for reporting ethical violations, research misconduct, security concerns, or governance irregularities. Reports are reviewed confidentially by the Research Oversight Board.