Sociology to play lead role in multidisciplinary centre for doctoral training in AI safety

Posted on 30 November 2023

Dr Jenn Chubb, Department of Sociology, is Co-Lead for Research at York’s new multidisciplinary UKRI AI Centre for Doctoral Training in the Lifelong Safety Assurance of AI-enabled Autonomous Systems (SAINTS).

SAINTS, which is part of a £117M investment by UKRI into AI research, will recruit 12 postgraduate researchers per year for five years in Computer Science, Philosophy, Sociology, Law and Economics at York.

The York Centre will specialise in developing a safe and trustworthy future for AI - focusing on the lifelong safety assurance of increasingly autonomous systems in dynamic and uncertain contexts, building on methodologies and concepts in disciplines spanning AI, safety science, philosophy, law and the social sciences.

From September 2024, Jenn will become Research Co-Lead of SAINTS for 60 research projects. Jenn said: “This is an amazing achievement for the team and testament to our commitment at York to explore the implications of AI across all aspects of society - who it benefits and who gets left behind. AI safety and responsible science is a multi-disciplinary effort. I am excited to act as co-lead for research developing the next new generation of experts who make leading contributions to the safety of AI from across Philosophy, Sociology, Law and Computer Science.”

For more information on the UKRI AI Centre for Doctoral Training in Lifelong Safety Assurance of AI-enabled Autonomous Systems (SAINTS) email: saints-cdt@york.ac.uk or speak to Dr Jenn Chubb jennifer.chubb@york.ac.uk.