Leading PAI academic awarded prestigious fellowship to work on responsible AI for media and journalism

Dr Bahareh Heravi, of the Surrey Institute for People-Centred AI, will partner with the BBC in a major research project to develop responsible use of artificial intelligence (AI).

Dr Heravi has won a prestigious BRAID fellowship. She will work with BBC R&D to investigate ‘Enhancing Responsible AI Literacy at the BBC and beyond’.

stylised cartoon of a robot using a typewriter

The fellowship scheme has been launched to develop solutions for pressing questions around the responsible use of AI.

The fellowships are part of the £15.9m Bridging Responsible AI Divides (BRAID) programme. It is led by the University of Edinburgh in partnership with the Ada Lovelace Institute and the BBC, and funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), part of UK Research & Innovation (UKRI).

The 17 Fellows appointed from universities across the UK will address a range of AI-related new or emerging challenges. Each has been partnered with an organisation from the public, private or third sector to unite expertise and to tackle the rapidly evolving real-world issues around the use and deployment of responsible AI.

Journalism relies heavily on trust, credibility, and accountability. While AI offers enhanced capabilities and efficiency, there’s a risk it may amplify biases and disinformation. For national broadcasters such as the BBC in a diverse country like the UK, committing to the highest standards of responsible AI is critical.

The fellowship takes a people-centred approach to AI innovation and education, addressing Responsible AI in journalism. This approach will ensure that the AI development and use at the BBC are sensitive to and inclusive of diverse influences, and ultimately contribute to more responsible, equitable and inclusive outcomes in journalism.
Dr Bahareh Heravi, Reader in AI and Media

Bahareh’s Fellowship award is a fantastic recognition of her expert contribution to addressing the need for responsible, ethical and inclusive use of artificial intelligence in media and journalism.

This reflects the ethos of our Institute for People-Centred AI at the University of Surrey – putting people at the heart of AI. Our approach brings together world-leading AI science and engineering with expertise in the humanities and social sciences to shape future AI technologies responsibly. We have had a long and successful partnership with the BBC for over 30 years pioneering new approaches to ensure trusted media which is more inclusive for all. I am confident that this fellowship will further strengthen our collaboration in advancing research and training in Artificial Intelligence for the benefit of society.
Professor Adrian Hilton, Director Surrey Institute for People-Centred AI | Director of Centre for Vision, Speech and Signal Processing

The collaborative projects will address questions, including examining approaches for the use of generative AI in the media, exploring the societal and ethical factors shaping the adoption of AI in a medical setting, developing a responsible AI innovation framework for the arts and culture sector, and supporting the needs of creatives when using AI.

Elsewhere, other collaborations will research the complex issue of copyright and generative AI in creative and cultural industries, including the impact of generative AI on writing novels, exploring the creation and ownership of AI-generated sounds, and examining the impact of generative AI in publishing.

Project leads at the University of Edinburgh said the Fellowships will support the creation of an AI ecosystem which will enable researchers and industry and public sector leaders to develop a deeper understanding of AI and its challenges and opportunities.

More information on the BRAID programme is available here.