CLAIRE is a new initiative by the European AI community that seeks to strengthen European excellence in AI research and innovation. To achieve this, CLAIRE proposes the establishment of a pan-European Confederation of Laboratories for AI Research in Europe.

Activities and Funding for Researchers (EPSRC).

Intediciplinary Collaboration (NESTA) – parts of this cover PU activities.

Beacons for Public Engagement (RCUK) – list of university based collaborative centres.

Communication Skills and Media Training Courses (Royal Society) – EPSRC will pay for these courses as part of a normal science grant.

Funding for Public Engagement (Science and Technology Facilities Council).

Public Engagement (Wellcome).

Artificial Intelligence is a broad discipline. It contains many diverse subfields and it has strong links to areas such as Cognitive Science and Philosphy of Mind. The term “Artificial Intelligence” was first coined by Prof. John McCarthy for a Conference on the subject held at Dartmouth in 1956. McCarthy defines the subject as the “science and engineering of making intelligent machines, especially intelligent computer programs”. The term “intelligence” is, of course, the subject of both scientific and philosophical debate. Within Artificial Intelligence many researchers use the term to mean giving computers behaviours which would be thought intelligent in human beings.

Artificial Intelligence research covers a wide range of topics. It includes making computers better at tasks that are widely perceived as intelligent, such as proving mathematical theorems. It also investigates processes we have only recently recognised are of significant difficulty, such as recognising objects in pictures. It even investigates problems which had not even been considered before the invention of computers, such as making it easier to find information on the world wide web.

The field of Artificial Intelligence does not solely concern itself with replicating “human-like” intelligence. Artificial Intelligence systems, such as chess-playing programs, do not necessarily work in “human-like” ways. There is a whole separate field, of Cognitive Science, which devotes itself to understanding the ways humans (and indeed other animals) think. Clearly there are many fertile links between the two fields. In many cases a better understanding of human cognition can lead to advances in Artificial Intelligence. At the same time finding a way to get a computer to peform a task can shed light on ways that humans might think.

Artificial Intelligence, unsurprisingly, has been the inspiration for much speculative fiction. This often involves stories in which computers and/or robots behave like particularly intelligent and physically strong versions of humans. Similar scenarios are occasionally raised in the Press. These tend to be presented in an alarmist fashion. There are a number of both practical and philosophical problems with these ideas, certainly in the short to medium term. It is also entirely unclear that the nature of Artificial Intelligence research is likely to produce this kind of intelligent and malevolent robot. As discussed above, much Artificial Intelligence research is focused on making computers easier for humans to use in various ways. The AISB doesn’t deny these possibilities. However we feel that the attention they attract often draws scrutiny away from more immediate concerns. Such concerns include ethically dubious uses of computers here and now and the degree to which our society is already dependent on them.

The fields of Artificial Intelligence and Cognitive Science are wide and fascinating parts of Computer Science and Psychology. The Artificial Intelligence challenge includes the ability to perceive, learn, store information, reason about what is known, communicate using human language, and interact with the physical environment, e.g., move objects. All of these abilities are still being investigated by individual researchers and none can be considered “solved”. This makes Artificial Intelligence and Cognitive Science fascinating and exciting topics of study.

Artificial Intelligence and Cognitive Science – or a combination of the two – are amongst the most exciting and valuable subjects you can study at university. This page is intended to give you some idea of why you might want to choose these subjects for your undergraduate degree, what kind of future such a degree might qualify you for and where you should look for further information.

Why study AI or CogSci?

An interesting and practical degree When choosing a course at university, many people are torn between the academic approach – what subject really interests me? – and the practical approach – what subject will provide a good basis for my career? AI and CogSci are two subjects that can easily fill both these criteria.

Depending on what course you study, you will have the opportunity to explore a wide range of theoretical and practical fields ranging from philosophical approaches and theory of mind to much more technical subjects and you can often have a lot of freedom to choose the subjects that interest you most.

At the end, even if you have chosen some of the more abstract options, you will still have a degree that contains a significant practical component and that is highly rated by employers.

Changing the world AI technology is behind a large numbers of advances that are changing the way we live our lives. Studying AI gives you an insight into how these changes are occurring and what might be happening next and put you in a perfect position to become involved in these changes yourself.

Job Prospects A degree in AI is one of the best qualifications you can have for a technical career and you will learn valuable programming skills. If you want to go into a completely different field, AI is a good general degree as it demonstrates a broad eduction, analytical skills and an enquiring mind.

How can I learn more?

Where can I study these subjects? Many universities have some form of AI or CogSci available. These are often found in the computer science department (AI) or the psychology department (CogSci). A few universities have separate AI or CogSci departments or Informatics departments, which typically comprise AI, CogSci and Computer Science. In many universities, you can study these subjects individually, combined with each other, as part of a different degree (e.g., taking a few AI courses in a Computer Science degree) or as a joint degree with many other unrelated subjects. The approach to these subjects and the possible combinations with other subjects may differ greatly between universities and you are recommended to look into what is on offer carefully before applying. See our courses page for help finding an appropriate undergraduate or postgraduate course. Once you have found a course and a university you might be interested in, you are recommended to contact the department for more information.

What kind of work is being done in these subjects? There is a huge range of work going on in these fields. The central problems of AI include such traits as reasoning, knowledge, planning, learning, communication, perception and the ability to move and manipulate objects. Topics vary from the visually impressive robotics to very technical areas such as mathematical theorem proving, which is used in system verification. Some AI researchers believe in the possibility of strong AI: the belief that we can develop an artificial intelligence that matches or exceeds human intelligence, and which can successfully perform any intellectual task that a human can. This is the view commonly seen in Hollywood films. Other researchers believe in applied AI: that software can be used to perform specific tasks far better than humans, but that this cannot encompass the full range of human cognitive abilities. No one knows for sure which of these will turn out to be correct.

Women in AI Computer related subjects are often thought of as being very male dominated and, for that reason, girls are often put off applying to such courses. However, there are excellent opportunities for women in these subjects and many women have achieved very senior positions and great success in the field. Most courses have a good gender balance and the varied nature of the subjects mean that there is a wide scope for varied interests: these subjects are not dominated by stereotypical male geeks!

Contact Us If you would like to find out more or would like information on open days you can attend, please contact us ( schools09@aisb.org.uk). If there are several people at your school who are interested in the subject, we may be able to come and visit you to talk to you about it and to show you some demos. However, due to the limited resources of the society, this is not always possible.

The future of AI and CogSci depends on a continued supply of able and enthusiatic young people studying the subjects at university and being interested in moving into research. An important prerequisite for this is encouraging children and young people to take study the appropriate subjects at school and to consider research as an exciting and promising career. Interest in studying AI at university has fallen in recent years and any researcher interested in the future of AI should be concerned that this trend does not continue. There are many ways in which researchers can help. There are many funding opportunities for researchers to get involved with or create outreach projects and many opportunities for them to get involved in schools, in science festivals and in other events where they can promote their own research as a way of stimulating young people and educate about the field in general. This page includes links that might be helpful for researchers with an interest in getting more involved in this. For further details, please contact (insert my committee address).

How to get involved

• Researchers in Residence: this scheme offers you the opportunity to use your expertise as a researcher and develop your communication skills by going into a school or college and helping create quality sceince experiences for the pupils. All RinRs are trained in how to communicate their research to non-specialists and undergo a Criminal Records check.
• Science and Engineering Ambassadors The Science and Engineering Ambassadors (SEAs) Programme is SETNET$B!G(Bs flagship programme. Ambassadors are individuals from a wide variety of STEM backgrounds, from all across the UK, who offer their time, enthusiasm and expertise to help schools inspire young people. Typical activities in which Ambassadors may get involved are: * supporting schools activities such as Science and Engineering clubs * helping with school’s STEM competitions, events and awards * assisting in extra-curricular STEM experiences * offering mentoring, careers guidance and positive role models * helping to provide work-based placements for teachers and students.
• Postgrad and Postdocs can get involved in public engagement and the social and ethical implications of their research by entering a poster in BA perspectives
• The Meet the scientist project holds events at science centres which enables researchers to engage in dialogue with the general public.
• FameLab is a national competition to find the UK’s best new talent in sceince communication. Win a masterclass in science communication, the change to appear on Channel 4 and a cash prize of £2000.
• The Nuffield foundation offers bursaries for post-16 science students to work alongside practising scientists
• You can also apply for media and communication skills training courses that are run by RCUK.
• You can get funding of up to £2000 to support a public engagement project during Science week, which is held throughout the country.
• If you want to get involved to a deeper level, you can apply for an EPRSC Partnership for Public Engagement grant.