What inspired you to join the alignAI project?
With a background in tangible interaction, I’ve explored different kinds of emerging technologies and focused on designing and implementing them in a more ethical and socially beneficial way by implementing user-centred design and design-research methodologies. The goals and approach of the alignAI project closely align with my vision and skill set as a designer. I’m especially excited to expand my field of research through exploring how large language models (LLMs) can be applied in educational contexts and to deepen my understanding of human-technology interactions from new and diverse perspectives.
What is the focus of your research within alignAI?
My research focuses on the education use case of LLMs and translating insights from empirical research into the design of digital tools that enhance LLMs’ explainability. This includes designing tangible manipulatives for children and young people to explain how LLMs work. Tangible tools are especially valuable for engaging a younger audience by providing hands-on interactions and making complex and abstract concepts such as artificial intelligence more accessible and easier to understand. In addition, we also will conduct an assessment for capturing learning about value-aligned LLMs through applying mixed research methods.
What excites you most about working at the intersection of AI and education?
The integration of AI into education is reshaping how we learn and study by enabling a more personalised, inclusive, accessible and efficient learning experience. At the same time, we’ll seek how to ethically implement AI and address challenges such as potential bias and misinformation. I’m excited to take part in this project and contribute to creating a more thoughtful and responsible learning environment with AI.
How do you see interdisciplinary collaboration shaping the future of AI, whether in your project or further?
AI can impact nearly every aspect of society, from education to healthcare, which means that the development of AI should be tailored to the specific contexts, human needs and values of each domain. This requires close collaboration across different disciplines: technologists, social scientists, designers and humanities researchers must all bring insights and perspectives to the table and work towards the same goal. I believe such interdisciplinary collaboration is the key to building an effective but also ethical future of AI.
If you had to explain your research to a friend outside academia, how would you describe it?
I would explain: “The alignAI project explores how we can make LLMs, like ChatGPT, better aligned with human values and be more ethically developed. Think of it like a beehive; researchers from different fields are working together, contributing their knowledge and skills to shape the future of responsible AI. My role focuses on the education side, where I design tangible tools for children and young people to understand how LLMs work and learn from their interactions. I then share these insights with the ‘technician bees’ to help the next steps in the whole development”.
Where can people follow your work?
You can access my LinkedIn.