Our Approach
At the University of Edinburgh, we conduct research on all aspects of AI:
- the core technical innovations that emerge from foundational computational, mathematical, and engineering research
- research on AI applications - where state-of-the-art AI methods are applied in other disciplines to advance scientific discovery, deliver benefit through new solutions to benefit citizens, businesses, and public institutions, and help tackle the big challenges the world is facing
- research on the implications of AI - where AI technologies, their applications, and impact are the object of scientific investigation and we engage in critical analysis of emerging technologies and their adoption
Our AI strategy focuses on two specific themes: Integrated AI for the Future, and AI for Science and Society – both underpinned by a strong focus on ethics and responsible innovation.
Addressing the ethical issues surrounding AI and establishing ourselves as a global leader in responsible and sustainable AI underpins these priorities as a cross-cutting concern. You can read about the Edinburgh approach to ensuring AI is used as a force of good in a separate section.
We recognise the value of all different approaches to AI, and that these change over time; and view AI as a valuable tool to understand intelligence beyond just engineering systems that aim to emulate it. We aspire to research excellence in all these areas, but ultimately engage in AI research to deliver societal benefit from its use, striving for all our AI research to be open, sustainable, and inclusive.
We want to establish an environment where every member of the university and external partner has opportunities to contribute to and benefit from AI research - we want all disciplines to benefit from AI, and AI to grow through their contributions. We advocate a realistic and critical view of AI, confront the ethical challenges it poses, and propose workable solutions to them.