AI and Society Research Group

AI is poised to bring about dramatic changes in our society, with impacts in industry and economics, law, politics and culture. Our research group studies these impacts, and how we can act to maximise beneficial effects and minimise harmful ones.

Group members

• Alistair Knott, School of Engineering and Computer Science, VUW (director)
• Andrew Lensen, School of Engineering and Computer Science, VUW
• Simon McCallum, School of Engineering and Computer Science, VUW
• Markus Luczak-Roesch, School of Information Management, VUW
• Jocelyn Cranefield, School of Information Management, VUW
• Gina Grimshaw, School of Psychology, VUW
• Paul Teal, School of Engineering and Computer Science, VUW
• Richard Arnold, School of Engineering and Computer Science, VUW
• Rebecca Downes, School of Management, VUW
• Andrew Chen, Koi Tū | Centre for Informed Futures, University of Auckland
• Michael Winikoff, School of Information Management, VUW
• Samuel Becher, School of Business and Government, VUW
• Hedwig Eisenbarth, School of Psychology, VUW
• David Carmel, School of Psychology, VUW
• Sally Riad, School of Management, VUW
• Sydney Shep, Wai-te-Ata Press, VUW

AI and Society Seminar series

The group organises regular seminars during trimester at Victoria University of Wellington. The seminars are open to everyone; if you'd like to attend, please email ali.knott@vuw.ac.nz .

Research projects

Social media governance

• Ali Knott co-leads a project on Responsible AI for Social Media Governance in the Global Partnership on AI (GPAI).

Governance of generative AI models

• The GPAI social media project has made a proposal about regulations for generative AI models. See here for an initial presentation of this proposal.

AI advice for New Zealand

• Ali Knott is an expert panel member on an Advisory Panel on AI convened by the NZ Prime Minister's Chief Science Advisor.

Collaborations

Our research group works closely with Otago University's Centre for AI and Public Policy.