About

The Network for Understanding Ripple Effects of AI (NUrai) is a collaborative initiative aimed at exploring and understanding the extensive impacts of artificial intelligence (AI) on various aspects of everyday human life. NUrai, born out of the SYNTHETICA project, brings together researchers from around the globe to advance the study of AI’s societal implications and foster interdisciplinary collaboration. Our network is supported by a consortium of Finnish universities, including Tampere University, University of Jyväskylä, and University of Vaasa, and is dedicated to addressing the challenges and opportunities presented by AI technologies.

Goal

The primary goals of NUrai are centered on fostering research collaboration and networking to advance the understanding of AI’s impact on society. Specifically, NUrai aims to:

  1. Promote Interdisciplinary Research: Facilitate collaboration among researchers from diverse fields such as software engineering, organizational science, communication studies, and cognitive science to explore the multifaceted impacts of AI.
  2. Build a Global Network: Establish a robust network of researchers, practitioners, and institutions worldwide to share knowledge, resources, and best practices in AI research.
  3. Enhance Research Capabilities: Develop innovative methodologies and tools for studying AI, particularly focusing on large language models and their applications in various domains.
  4. Disseminate Knowledge: Share research findings with the academic community, industry partners, and the general public to increase awareness and understanding of AI’s societal implications.
  5. Influence Policy and Practice: Provide insights and recommendations to policymakers and industry leaders to guide the responsible development and deployment of AI technologies.
  6. Support Ethical AI Development: Address ethical concerns related to AI, such as transparency, fairness, and human oversight, ensuring that AI technologies are developed and used responsibly.

Impact

The research conducted by NUrai is crucial for understanding the ripple effects of AI as it integrates into various societal contexts. Our work addresses the limitations and potential risks associated with AI, including issues of transparency, data management, safety, accessibility, fairness, and human oversight. By exploring these challenges, NUrai aims to create positive impacts by guiding the responsible advancement of AI technologies, ensuring they benefit human beings and mitigate potential harm.