Connecting people with AI to benefit societyCredit: HQuality Video / iStock / Getty Images
A computer program that can interpret and translate sign language into speech, facilitating real-time interaction between hearing and hearing-impaired people. Home sensors that can track and monitor a resident with early stage dementia, enabling them to live independently for as long as possible. These are two examples of the technology that stems from the artificial intelligence (AI) and machine- learning research at the University of Surrey. Now, its new Institute for People-Centred AI, which launched in Autumn 2021, aims to widen access and benefit for all by putting people at the heart of future AI technologies across society, and bring these valuable tools into our daily lives.
Solid AI foundations
For more than 30 years, the university’s Centre for Vision, Speech and Signal Processing (CVSSP) has conducted world-leading research in machine perception, in both theory and practice, creating ground-breaking AI technologies which enable machines to understand the world around them through seeing and hearing. In 2021, CVSSP ranked first in the United Kingdom and third in Europe for computer vision research, according to the Computer Science Rankings (CSRankings).
Computer vision expert, Professor Adrian Hilton, has been the director of CVSSP for the last 10 years, and is the founding Director of the Surrey Institute for People-Centred AI working closely with the Institute’s Director of Strategy, Elizabeth James. Their enthusiasm for bringing AI to the public has led to the establishment of this new pan-university Institute at Surrey. According to Hilton, the Institute will push the boundaries of AI technologies beyond engineering driven solutions to AI systems that work with and for the individual and society.
“For years, right across the world, the focus has been on learning how to build AI effectively and engineer tools for specific purposes,” says Hilton. “It is time to turn the tables and lead AI research from the human perspective, rather than a purely technological perspective.”
Hilton explains that this switch towards people-centred AI research will enrich lives, empower people, and help build a more equal, safer and responsible society. By demonstrating how AI can fundamentally help people, the institute will promote and encourage trust and wider positive adoption of AI as a force for good. “Our Vision is inspired by the ‘people-centred’ grand challenges of the UN Sustainable Development Goals: social and financial inclusion, education, health, work, justice, and sustainable and responsible use of resources,” says James.
Bringing people and AI together
The Institute for People-Centred AI will involve all university faculties, bringing together more than 300 researchers from disciplines, ranging from fundamental AI, computer and data science to health, medicine, the arts, social sciences, law and business.
The institute will work together with industry, public sector, national and international organisations with the aim of leading the UK’s future AI capabilities by growing expertise, attracting researchers and investment, and training future talent. Shaping the future of AI, the Institute will deliver the knowledge and skills required to ensure UK leadership in the transformation to an inclusive and responsible AI-driven economy, says Hilton.
As well as bringing together existing AI and domain expertise, the institute launch is adding 12 new academic positions to catalyse growth in AI-domain research collaboration and impact. In addition, there will be multiple PhD and postdoctoral opportunities for early career researchers. The Institute will build on expertise in fundamental AI theory and practice, with domain experts and user groups to realise people-centred AI solutions and deliver impact.
Widening access and promoting creativity
A key goal at the University of Surrey is to embed understanding of AI and data science into teaching programmes across the University. This will provide a working template for other institutions to follow. The Surrey Institute for People-Centred AI is dedicated to the education, training and upskilling of people across industry and the public sector to use and understand the impact of AI on their business.
“Fundamentally, AI is an enabler – it widens access, freeing us up to be more creative and use the intellectual and emotional skills that make each of us unique,” says Hilton. “There are lots of misconceptions about AI, and we must work to ensure that people understand and embrace these powerful tools.”
James explains that AI seeks to augment human capability, and ultimately will empower people to work to the best of their abilities, released from the repetitive and mundane tasks which can be automated.
Shaping future AI for people
The institute will initiate and grow cross-disciplinary research collaboration, including extensive studies to fully understand AI decision-making, data security, and the use of personal data in AI. Institute research teams will lead the development of trustworthy and explainable AI, bringing together Surrey’s expertise in law and governance of autonomous systems to explore the ethics and responsible use of AI across different cultures and societies. Fair and inclusive access for all is critical if the technologies are to be used to their best advantage.
Hilton provides an example. “At the moment, there is often a ‘one size fits all’ approach to informing the public of health issues,” he says. “AI could generate healthcare information tailored to specific cultures, religious backgrounds or languages, thus bringing valuable and personalized information directly to the person asking for it.”
Such personalization can be brought into a wide variety of everyday experiences, from bespoke media and news coverage, to education, tourism and healthcare. These technologies have a large role to play in society and for this reason, James says that it's vital that these technologies are disseminated in a way that maintains trust and integrity. “These are also key attributes that we are looking for in those who wish to work with us.”
Hilton adds that the university welcomes champions of AI from all disciplines who are enthusiastic and forward-thinking, and who can carry an ethos of people-centred AI into the future.
“At the heart of it all is understanding not just how we interact with AI, but how AI interacts with us,'' says James “AI will never replace people but it gives us the opportunity to augment our human capabilities and serve society based on inclusivity, diversity and fairness.”
The Surrey Institute for People-Centred AI was formally announced by the University’s Chancellor His Royal Highness The Duke of Kent at St James’s Palace in London on 2 November 2021.