PhD in Human-Inspired Artificial Intelligence

University of Cambridge

This PhD in Human-Inspired Artificial Intelligence will train the next generation of AI researchers, technologists, and leaders in the development of human-centred, human-compatible, responsible and socially and globally beneficial AI technologies. The course offers research training in areas such as fundamental human-level AI, social and interactive AI, cognitive AI, creative AI, health and global AI, and responsible AI. Students will be educated in an interdisciplinary environment where they can get access to expertise not only in the technical but also human, ethical, applied and industrial aspects of AI. This programme is distinct from other PhD programmes in that it takes a strongly interdisciplinary and cross-disciplinary approach to technical AI. It will be based at the Centre for Human-Inspired Artificial Intelligence (CHIA) within the Institute for Technology and Humanity (ITH) where PhD students will have access to both a large community of scholars and students tackling similar questions and to the active research events programme that constitutes a key part of CHIA’s work. The course addresses the broader need for experts equipped to develop more responsible and human-centred AI as academia, industry, government and non-profit sectors increasingly recruit AI specialists and is a logical next step for students moving through AI-related master’s programmes and wishing to specialise in human-inspired AI. The interdisciplinary nature of human-inspired AI means that the programme will also involve working closely also with other units of the University, including co-supervision arrangements, access to research seminars, and access to facilities. The PhD in Human-Inspired AI aims to equip students with the skills and knowledge to contribute critically and constructively to research in human-inspired AI. It introduces students from diverse backgrounds to research skills and specialist knowledge from a range of academic disciplines and provides them with the opportunity to carry out focused research under close supervision by domain experts at the University. The programme will train the next generation of researchers and leaders in AI by: providing them with educational infrastructure and interdisciplinary research environment and world-leading training in human-inspired AI, providing them with the critical tools to engage with the forefront of academic knowledge, methods and applications in this area, developing the advanced skills and abilities to identify, approach and address practical interdisciplinary research challenges, supporting students to develop a broad and deep understanding of the technical, ethical, applied and human aspects of AI, developing the ability and initiative to identify, address and approach relevant and complex challenges across sectors and society. The course will benefit students wanting to engage with human-inspired AI by enabling them to hone critical, methodological and technical skills, develop new approaches and test them out, and specialise, students locating themselves in other home disciplines who wish to develop advanced projects including CHIAs approaches and orientations, students entering into or returning to careers in academia, tech industry, and other sectors by giving them the advanced skills, critical perspectives, and methodological insights to pursue these pathways.