Difference and power in the time of responsible AI

The phrase ‘responsible AI’ has gained currency as an umbrella term for an increasing emphasis on ethical, safe, trustworthy, fair or equitable AI policy and practice. For these reasons it is used across governance, social and technical contexts. Critics suggest that responsible AI discourse, guidance and interventions do not consider all stakeholder concerns equally, compromising claims to effectiveness in delivering ethical and equitable AI. There are also concerns over what responsibility might comprise, who should be responsible, and who decides, with many arguing that differences in interpretation and nuance enable, rather than prevent, irresponsible AI. 

Different groups benefit from and are affected by AI differently, and their hopes, concerns and experiences also vary. Centuries of structural inequities and overlapping systems of oppression (e.g. racism, sexism, ableism, colonialism, transphobia, classism) afford some groups more resources and access to power to shape AI technologies than others. What has been identified as a participation gap is therefore exacerbated by the ways that AI is consulted on, managed and implemented.

Your doctoral research project will be designed by you to respond to these issues of difference and power in a time of “responsible AI.” Your application should reflect your existing knowledge and interest in the area, and identify clearly what you perceive to be a research need or gap”, Clear proposals of interdisciplinary, innovative and critical methods, methodologies and lenses are particularly encouraged. Example interpretations of this brief include, but are not restricted to:

1. social network analysis of research leadership and investment in people’s responses to AI technologies
2. analysis of the inclusion of marginalised populations in research with the public
3. discourse analysis of representations of responsibility in relation to AI
4. decolonising approaches to responsible AI
5. historical, interpretive or policy analyses
6. philosophical or cultural studies approaches into shared understanding and / or meaning-making across responsible AI stakeholders

Interested candidates are encouraged to contact the project supervisor (Dr Susan Oman, [email protected]) to discuss your interest in and suitability for the project prior to submitting your application.

Supervisor Bio

Dr Susan Oman is AI and in/equality Lead in the Centre for Machine Intelligence and a Senior Lecturer in Data, AI and Society at the University of Sheffield. Their research interests are data, evidence, AI and digital policy and practice across sectors, with a specific interest in social issues of inequality and well-being.

About the Department/Research Group

Supported by a multi-million pound investment from the University of Sheffield, the Centre for Machine Intelligence is a strategic initiative dedicated to the transformation and acceleration of our research, innovation and teaching via Artificial Intelligence (AI).

99 percent of our research is rated in the highest two categories in the REF 2021, meaning it is classed as world-leading or internationally excellent. We are rated as 8th nationally for the quality of our research environment, showing that the Department of Computer Science is a vibrant and progressive place to undertake research.

The host School for the successful candidate will confirmed on offer.

Candidate Requirements

• Masters degree in an arts and humanities or social sciences field (2(i) / Merit or higher)
• An interest in using innovative methods
• A commitment to social justice
• Candidates with relevant research experience will be preferred
• If English is not your first language, you must have an IELTS score of 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in each component

How to Apply

To apply for a PhD studentship, applications must be made directly to the University of Sheffield using the Postgraduate Online Application Form. Make sure you name Dr Susan Oman as your proposed supervisor.

Information on what documents are required and a link to the application form can be found here – https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/postgraduate/phd/apply/applying 

The form has comprehensive instructions for you to follow, and pop-up help is available. 

Your research proposal should:

• be no longer than 4 A4 pages, include references
• outline your reasons for applying for this studentship
• explain how you would approach the research, including details of your skills and experience in the topic area