Sheffield academics win inaugural UK artificial intelligence impact award

Researchers from the University of Sheffield have received an impact award at the first ever UK AI Research Symposium (UKAIRS).

The recognition was given for research into the responsible use and development of artificial intelligence by the university’s Centre for Machine Intelligence.

It has gone onto inform AI policies with project partners the British Library and Sheffield City Council.

Dr Denis Newman-Griffis, theme lead for AI-enabled research at the University of Sheffield, said working on responsible AI was “enormously important” and that they had been able to look into how “different people, processes, and places” affect it.

He added: “Working closely where the rubber meets the road with AI is vital for bridging the gap between responsible AI policy and practice, and our partners have shaped the research as much as we’ve helped inform their practice.

“Receiving this award is a wonderful recognition of the amazing work our team and partners have done to make responsible AI a bit more tangible and day-to-day.”

The project – called Framing Responsible AI Implementation and Management (FRAIM) – was also recently cited in the Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee’s report into using the technology in government.

Award-winning artists Blast theory also collaborated with the researchers to develop an artwork representing responsible AI use.

‘Constant Washing Machine’ features soaps engraved with word such as “context”, “transparency”, and “inclusion”.

 

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Dr Susan Oman, AI and In/Equality Lead at the Centre for Machine Intelligence, said: “Constant Washing Machine brings the reflective, mundane, habitual practice of hand washing into dialogue with the concerns of the FRAIM project.

“It encourages us to consider the slipperiness of language and meaning, whilst also recognising that responsible AI is about caring for others and society. It allows us all to reflect on what shared understanding and responsibility for AI might mean – for us, and each other.”

UKAIRS 2025 was organised by Responsible AI UK, and brought together researchers from the country’s AI community.

It took place between 8th and 9th September at Northumbria University in Newcastle.

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