Centre for Technomoral Futures

We are excited to announce a new, funded PhD studentship opportunity, alongside School of Informatics, University of Edinburgh! The project is called, 'Examining the ethical implications of natural language processing,’ and is supervised by Dr Zeerak Talat, starting in the academic year 2025/2026.    The aim of this project is to perform research in natural language processing (NLP) towards identifying and exploring methods for the ethical development of NLP tools. Given the increased uptake in the use and proliferation of NLP technologies, questions surrounding the ethical and responsible development of such tools are of greater urgency. This project will consider how NLP and machine learning are currently falling short in engaging with ethical development practices and examine how such practices can be improved for the benefit of end-users and society more broadly.    Application Deadline: 15 March 2025    Learn more and apply ▶️ https://edin.ac/40PAXEq   The University of Edinburgh | College of Science and Engineering, The University of Edinburgh | Edinburgh Futures Institute | Shannon Vallor | Fabio Tollon | John Zerilli | Gina Helfrich, PhD | Data-Driven Innovation Initiative | #PhDStudentship

How can digital platforms support – or hinder – self-care in later life?  CTMF PhD Fellow Elisa Cardamone's research explores the impact of platformisation on self-care in ageing populations. Inspired by her experience caring for her grandmothers in an area with limited healthcare resources, she is dedicated to shaping a future where technology better supports older adults. Supervised by a team across Edinburgh College of Art, University of Edinburgh School of Engineering & Design Informatics, University of Edinburgh, Elisa works closely with communities to design more effective and inclusive digital health solutions.     Read Elisa's reflections and discover how her experiences have impacted her PhD journey ▶️ https://edin.ac/4hZsohr Edinburgh Futures Institute | The University of Edinburgh | Shannon Vallor | Data-Driven Innovation Initiative   

Last week, a group of researchers working on BRAID projects submitted a response to the UK government's consultation on #copyright and #AI. This is a great example of what BRAID is all about – bringing together a diversity of expertise and experience to tackle the challenges of implementing AI responsibly. Led by Dr Paula Westenberger and Dr Anna-Maria Sichani, the response integrates a range of academic insights.  The researchers express concerns about the proposed exception to copyright law for “text and data mining” for commercial uses with rights reservation arguing that it prioritises technological advancement without responsibly accounting for the impact on creators, the research and cultural heritage communities, the broader UK economy, and the cultural life of the nation. The document discusses the need for more tailored control over how copyright works are used, with suggestions for improvements to copyright legislation that enable creators to specify how their works can be used commercially, including in AI training.  The response also discusses the issues with the existing text and data mining exception for non-commercial research, highlighting the need for further engaging the heritage and research sectors in AI and copyright policy making. The response also touches on the benefits of greater transparency in AI development, with suggestions for mandatory disclosure of the sources of training data for AI models to ensure compliance with copyright laws and ethical standards. Overall, our researchers advocate for a regulatory framework that better protects the interests of creators, rights holders and heritage and research stakeholders, in the face of rapidly advancing AI technologies. They suggest that more responsible and ethical approaches to AI policy, regulation, development and deployment are necessary to support the creative industries and the research and heritage sectors. You can read the response here: https://lnkd.in/eenQkPbq Contributors (in alphabetical order): Professor Nick Bryan-Kinns, Professor Mercedes Bunz, Dr Clementine Collett, Dr Bahareh Heravi, Dr Kate Miltner, Dr Caterina Moruzzi, Dr Anna-Maria Sichani , Dr Bev Townsend, Dr Paula Westenberger. We thank them all! #ResponsibleAI

"This month's AI Action Summit in Paris focused on using AI to improve our lives, while also addressing issues around sustainability and inclusivity. However, the safety issue has not gone away." - Professor Desmond Higham GAIL Fellow from University of Edinburgh, School of Mathematics writes in The Herald about AI vulnerabilities

How does data ethics shape research across agriculture and animal health? We recently joined colleagues at The University of Edinburgh Easter Bush campus for a thought-provoking workshop on the ethical implications of data collected through research. With a focus on Easter Bush’s three key themes—Sustainable Agriculture, Infectious Diseases and Enhancing Health—the event brought together researchers from The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, the Roslin Institute, and the Academy of Global Agriculture and Food Systems to explore how data ethics applies across these disciplines.  Read our blog post about the experience, key takeaways and next steps ▶️ https://edin.ac/4hUL3Lh Edinburgh Futures Institute | Jon Hillier | Zeerak Talat | Fabio Tollon | Emma Caldwell | Shannon Vallor | University of Edinburgh College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences | College of Medicine & Veterinary Medicine, The University of Edinburgh | Data-Driven Innovation Initiative

Two days until the next seminar with Prof Andrew McStay! Hosted by Ewa Luger it's sure to be a great presentation and discussion, get your ticket now 👇 Design Informatics, University of Edinburgh Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) Edinburgh Futures Institute Centre for Technomoral Futures

"I wanted to examine the ethical implications of machine learning in healthcare, but its benefits for patients are often uncertain and, in some cases, causing patient harms. My PhD gave me an opportunity to critically analyse these issues." Congratulations to CTMF PhD Fellow Jamie Webb, with a supervisory team across Usher Institute, The University of Edinburgh and School of PPLS, he has recently completed his studies and joined Oxford University's Ethox Centre as a postdoctoral researcher 🎉    Read Jamie’s reflections as he takes the next step on his journey ▶️https://edin.ac/4gOQABZ   👉Stay tuned for more inspiring stories as part of our Technomoral Futures in Focus series! Edinburgh Futures Institute | The University of Edinburgh | Shannon Vallor

Applications are open for 2025 entry to our MSc in Data & AI Ethics!     Today, many organisations and sectors that work with AI and data-intensive applications are missing the distinctive expertise in their technical and policy/governance workforce needed to answer society’s demands for responsible technology use, which increasingly goes beyond mere legal compliance.     Graduates of this programme will help their future employers navigate complex new technical systems and roles with transparency, accountability, fairness, justice, and respect for individual and human rights, and in ways aligned with genuine human and social needs.    In addition to those offered by The University of Edinburgh, we are pleased to offer applicants the chance to be considered for a scholarship tailored to the programme through the Luksic Scholarship for Sustainability and Data. There are four scholarships available, and they are open to Chilean citizens applying for the full-time Data and Artificial Intelligence Ethics or Circular Economy MSc programmes.    Learn more and apply ▶️ https://edin.ac/3QmJHNx  📸 Whitedog Photography | Edinburgh Futures Institute | Fundación Luksic | Data-Driven Innovation Initiative | #ChallengeCreateChange

Recently, Professor Burkhard Schafer, one of our CTMF Senior Research Affiliates, led a session with a group of pupils at Balerno High School to explore the intersection of robotics, AI, and ethics.     Two key messages Professor Schafer hoped to communicate to the students were:  1) the future of technology is not inevitable — they have the power to shape it. Whether they pursue careers in law, engineering, or any other field, they can influence how technology is used and regulated.   2) they do not have to have everything figured out right now — they should follow what excites them and remain open to unexpected opportunities.     Read more about Professor Schafer's thoughts and learnings from the experience in our latest blog post! ▶️ https://edin.ac/3WzFnh5 University of Edinburgh Law School | University of Edinburgh College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences | Edinburgh Futures Institute

New report from the National Engineering Policy Centre (NEPC) working group (including CTMF Director, Professor Shannon Vallor) on, 'Engineering Responsible AI: foundations for environmentally sustainable AI' Read the report here ▶️ https://lnkd.in/eFUCHXbe