Coventry University London Smart Cities and AI: supporting ethical development
Eligibility: UK/EU/International graduates with the required entry requirements
Funding details: Bursary plus tuition fees (UK/International (including EU at international rates from Sept 22)
Duration: Full-Time – 3-3.5 years fixed term
Application deadline: 4 May 2022
Interview date: Will be confirmed to shortlisted candidates
Start date: September 2022
For further details contact: Scott deLahunta
Introduction
Coventry University is inviting applications from suitably-qualified graduates for a fully-funded PhD studentship.
Project Details
This transdisciplinary project aims to fill a gap in the research into the ethical development of innovative data-driven technologies for Smart Cities. These technologies, for example sensor networks, cameras, robotics and augmented reality, increasingly make use of AI for automated decision-making. This kind of decision-making raises many ethical questions for AI developer communities. One well known issue relates to facial recognition systems that are aimed at reducing crime rates, but have been shown to unfairly target some groups. After more than a decade of discussion, there is consensus on the guidelines that are necessary for ethical AI deployment, and these are widely published and disseminated.
There are also many toolkits out there now that aim to implement these guidelines in practice. However, there is little research looking at how well these toolkits have led to increased awareness and positive change in the ethical know-how of developers working with AI. Therefore, this project will take a practice-based approach and combine methodologies from the humanities and social sciences with expertise in computing science and engineering. The aim is to identify tangible steps for improving ethics-in-practice in the context of Smart Cities and AI development.
Funding
This is a fully-funded studentship, including tuition fees and stipend/bursary.
Benefits
The successful candidate will receive comprehensive research training including technical, personal and professional skills.
All researchers at Coventry University (from PhD to Professor) are part of the Doctoral College and Centre for Research Capability and Development, which provides support with high-quality training and career development activities.
Entry Requirements
- A minimum of a 2:1 first degree in a relevant discipline/subject area with a minimum 60% mark in the project element or equivalent with a minimum 60% overall module average.
PLUS - the potential to engage in innovative research and to complete the PhD within a 3.5 years
- a minimum of English language proficiency (IELTS overall minimum score of 7.0 with a minimum of 6.5 in each component)
Additional Requirements
A 500-word statement providing evidence of the candidate’s understanding of transdisciplinary research and practice-based approaches.
How to apply
All applications require full supporting documentation, and a covering letter – plus one of the following ( please select one option)
For pre-determined (named) projects an up-to 2000-word supporting statement is required showing how the applicant’s expertise and interests are relevant to the project. Apply to Coventry University