The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has appointed its first postdoctoral research fellow in artificial intelligence (AI).
In an indication of the ICO’s increasing interest in the implications of AI for privacy and data protection, it has brought in Dr Reuben Binns on a two-year fellowship.
He is currently a researcher in computer science at the University of Oxford, and has previously worked as an advisor on personal data and algorithmic decision-making for organisations in the public and private sector and for the European Commission.
His research interests include technical, legal and ethical aspects of privacy, machine learning and decentralised systems.
In his position at the ICO Binns (pictured) will investigate a framework for auditing algorithms and conduct further in-depth research activities in AI and machine learning.
Simon McDougall, the ICO’s executive director for technology, policy and innovation, said: “Artificial intelligence is an exciting area that has great potential. However, like all new technologies, it also has the potential to be misused, and there is understandable anxiety amongst the public around how decisions using AI are being made.
“The ICO is committed to remaining engaged with emerging technologies, and Reuben’s work will deepen our understanding of this complex area.”
Image from ICO
