Artificial intelligence and data analytics network

Reflects the data imperative in the sustainability agenda. Only by understanding how we design and use our towns, cities and built environment can we find new approaches that are appealing to people and organisations, while addressing the need for a carbon-neutral world. And yes, in the case of this theme there is a close relationship with another Brookes RIKE network, Sustainable and Resilient Futures

Highlights the growing importance of data analysis and visualisation, even if machine intelligence is not involved (although it might be). This applies to contexts where public bodies are looking for effective new insights to inform legislation, regulation and public policy, or where any organisation is hoping to improve its decision-making based on more relevant, timely and meaningful information.

This differs slightly from the other three themes. This is about novel configurations of AI tools/techniques and the application domains where they are put to work. We are already seeing some ‘bottom-up’ collaborations happening here at Brookes, particularly reflecting the right-hand side of the model above. We hope to explore a range of new frontiers over the coming years, kick starting a number of exciting journeys into future research, innovation and knowledge exchange.

Includes but is not limited to AI and data ethics. With increasing machine autonomy, the need to build moral judgements into machines has never been more important. But as systems and technologies process and communicate data at an accelerating rate, the risk of human ‘harms’ is increasing all the time – not least via social media.