AI: The intersection of philosophy, cognitive science, and machine learning with Dr. David Danks

February 11, 2025
2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Evans Conference Room (3780)
Warnock Engineering Building

Abstract

As AI systems become increasingly common in our everyday lives, it is also increasingly important that we have truly responsible AI. However, we often do not know just what that means, or how to achieve it. What can, and should, we be doing to have more responsible AI? In this talk, Danks will first argue that responsible AI emerges from choices throughout the AI lifecycle; there is no single point or decision that determines whether some AI is responsible. Danks will then provide a series of research case studies into different steps that can be taken at different points, ranging from our initial design choices, to algorithm choice, to model development, to the ways in which we deploy and use AI systems. The core message is that responsible AI requires intelligent, informed choices throughout the AI lifecycle, and we have many tools to support those choices.

Biography

​David Danks is the University of Utah One-U Responsible AI Initiative's inaugural distinguished visitor. He is a Professor of Data Science, Philosophy, & Policy, and affiliate faculty in Computer Science & Engineering, at University of California San Diego. His research interests range widely across philosophy, cognitive science, and machine learning, including their intersection. Danks has examined the ethical, psychological, and policy issues around AI and robotics across multiple sectors, including transportation, healthcare, privacy, and security. He has also done significant research in computational cognitive science and developed multiple novel causal discovery algorithms for complex types of observational and experimental data. Danks is the recipient of a James S. McDonnell Foundation Scholar Award, as well as an Andrew Carnegie Fellowship. He currently serves on multiple advisory boards, including the National AI Advisory Committee.

Dr. Danks is being hosted by the University of Utah’s One-U Responsible Artificial Intelligence Initiative (One-U RAI) headed by Penny Atkins, Director, Research and Science.  One-U RAI aims to harness the transformative power of AI to benefit society. Launched in October 2023 by President Taylor Randall, the $100 million initiative supports interdisciplinary AI research with real-world impact in three areas where the U has deep expertise: the environment, health care and wellness, and teaching and learning. In addition to growing the U’s pool of AI researchers, the initiative will expand cyberinfrastructure and engage the broader community through partnerships and public events. One-U RAI is part of the Scientific Computing and Imaging (SCI) Institute, which is led by Manish Parashar and has a renowned history in collaborative, translational research.