UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) is investing 拢850,000 in Public Voices in AI, led by the at the University of 葫芦影业.
Professor Helen Kennedy, Director of the ESRC Digital Good Network, will be the project lead, with support from Dr Ros Williams, Digital Good Network Associate Director. Dr Susan Oman of The Information School leads one of the work streams. The project builds on previous work by Dr Oman, Professor Kennedy, and others on exploring the role that inequalities play in shaping public perceptions of data and AI. Project collaborators include the, and.
A central aspect of responsible AI research, development and policy is ensuring that it takes account of public hopes, concerns and experiences. With concern about the societal impacts of AI growing and pressure for its effective regulation mounting, understanding and anticipating societal needs and values can inform responsible AI developments and deployments. Yet public voice is frequently missing from conversations about AI, an absence which inhibits progress in RAI. Addressing this gap is essential to enable AI RD&P to maximise benefits and prevent harms and to ensure that responsible AI works for everyone.
Structural inequities in society mean that certain groups are more negatively impacted by AI deployments than others 鈥 for example, in welfare systems, at borders, in policing. Some groups have more resources and access to power to shape AI technologies than others. There is also a participation gap between those with the social capital to participate in shaping AI and those without. Public Voices in AI will therefore centre those most impacted and underrepresented.
Public Voices in AI will distribute up to 拢195,000 of its funding to support participatory projects with people from groups which are negatively affected by or underrepresented in AI research, development and policy. The Public Voices in AI Fund will be launched on 31st May 2024, with a closing date for applications of 20th June 2024.
Project lead Helen Kennedy said, 鈥淧ublic voices need to inform AI research, development and policy much more than they currently do. This project represents a commitment from UKRI and RAI UK to ensuring that happens. It brings together some of the best public voice thinkers and practitioners in the UK, and we鈥檙e excited to work with them to realise the project鈥檚 aims.鈥
The project will run from April 2024 to March 2025. An online launch event will take place in early June 鈥 more information to follow soon.