Doing AI Differently: Alan Turing Institute Wants to Prioritise People in AI Development

07 August 2025

Artificial intelligence is reshaping countless aspects of society, but its development is often seen as a purely technical challenge. The ‘Doing AI Differently’ initiative, spearheaded by The Alan Turing Institute, seeks to fundamentally change this perspective.

By placing ethical concerns and human values at the core of AI system design, this initiative underscores the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration.

Drawing on expertise from philosophy, sociology, and computer science, ‘Doing AI Differently’ aims to confront biases and ensure that AI outcomes reflect the diversity and complexity of real-world human experiences.

At the heart of the ‘Doing AI Differently’ initiative is a profound commitment to embedding ethical considerations into the fabric of AI system design and implementation.

The Alan Turing Institute recognises that artificial intelligence is not solely a technological challenge but also a deeply human one. By integrating insights from the humanities, the initiative aspires to address biases inherent in AI algorithms, ensuring that these biases are not blindly mirrored in AI outcomes.

This focus on ethics demands a multidisciplinary approach, bringing together philosophers, sociologists, and AI specialists to create systems that reflect a broader spectrum of human values.

Incorporating Diverse Perspectives

Diversity is a core tenet of the initiative, as it acknowledges that a range of perspectives is crucial for fair and effective AI development. By fostering collaboration across various industries and academic disciplines, the ‘Doing AI Differently’ programme advocates for AI systems that understand and represent diverse user needs.

This involves considering cultural, gender-based, and socio-economic factors that influence the way AI technologies are perceived and utilised by different segments of society. The ultimate goal is to ensure inclusivity in AI solutions, which can lead to more robust, adaptable, and universally accepted technologies.

The Role of Responsible AI in Society

The societal impact of AI is a significant focus of the initiative, with an emphasis on developing frameworks that ensure AI is used for the greater good. Recent concerns about privacy, job displacement, and surveillance highlight the need for responsible AI policies that protect public interests.

The Alan Turing Institute‘s initiative aligns with these needs by promoting transparency and accountability in AI processes. By setting out guidelines for ethical AI, the project helps industry leaders navigate complex challenges and encourages the establishment of norms that prioritise public welfare in AI applications.

Harnessing Global Collaborations

In a move to broaden its reach and impact, the ‘Doing AI Differently’ initiative is also keen on establishing collaborations beyond the UK. By engaging with global partners and tapping into international research networks, the initiative aims to generate dialogue and share best practices worldwide.

Such global synergy not only fosters innovation but also builds a collective understanding of both the potential and pitfalls of AI. Partners from different regions bring richer diversity and understanding, helping to create AI solutions that can aptly address local and global challenges alike.

Fostering an AI-Ready Future

As AI technologies become more integrated into daily life, the initiative also looks at preparing future generations to engage with AI critically and creatively.

Education plays a pivotal role in this vision, with the development of educational programmes that equip individuals with the skills needed to navigate an increasingly AI-driven world.

By teaching students not only technical skills but also critical thinking about AI implications, the initiative ensures that future AI developers and users will consider the societal values intrinsic to technological advancement. This holistic approach underscores the imperative to prepare society not just to use AI, but to shape it responsibly and ethically.

Key Data Points

The ‘Doing AI Differently’ initiative is centred on embedding ethical considerations deeply into AI system design and implementation, emphasising AI as a human and cultural challenge rather than solely a technological one.
It integrates insights from the humanities alongside AI specialists to tackle biases within AI, aiming for systems that reflect a diverse range of human values.
Diversity of perspectives is fundamental, involving collaboration across industries and academic fields to ensure AI considers cultural, gender, and socio-economic factors for more inclusive, adaptable, and robust AI solutions.
The initiative stresses responsible AI usage to address critical societal concerns such as privacy, job displacement, and surveillance by promoting transparency, accountability, and public welfare prioritisation.
Global partnerships are a key feature, enabling the sharing of best practices and fostering innovation while accommodating local and international AI challenges.
Education is highlighted as vital for preparing future generations, combining technical skills with critical thinking about AI’s ethical and societal impacts to shape responsible AI development and usage.

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