Introduction
In a world where artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming industries, the University of Virginia's LaCross Institute for Ethical Artificial Intelligence in Business is making strides to ensure that this transformation is both ethical and inclusive. Recently, the Institute announced the recipients of its 2025 Fellowships in AI Research (FAIR), a program designed to foster collaboration across disciplines in the realm of ethical AI research.
The Fellowship Program
The LaCross AI Institute's Fellowship program is a beacon for collaborative research, bringing together experts from various fields to tackle pressing issues in AI ethics. This year, the program awarded fellowships to two teams whose proposals stood out for their innovative approaches to privacy and fairness in AI.
Privacy and Fairness in AI Pipelines
The first fellowship was awarded to Ferdinando “Nando” Fioretto, an Assistant Professor of Computer Science, and Max Biggs, an Assistant Professor of Business Administration. Their project, "Privacy and Fairness in AI Pipelines: From Data Collection to Decision-Making," aims to enhance the accuracy of data used in AI models while minimizing bias and protecting privacy. By examining large-scale data collection methods, such as those used by the U.S. Census Bureau, they seek to identify and mitigate biases that affect underrepresented populations.
Privacy-First Advertising and Machine Unlearning
The second fellowship went to Samuel Levy and Chirag Agarwal, who are exploring the future of digital advertising through their project, "Privacy-First Advertising and Machine Unlearning." Their research focuses on developing advertising strategies that respect consumer privacy and build trust, especially in light of stricter privacy regulations. By incorporating "machine unlearning," they aim to give users more control over their data, ensuring that privacy-preserving techniques do not compromise marketing effectiveness.
The Impact of Collaborative Research
Marc Ruggiano, Director of the LaCross AI Institute, highlighted the importance of these proposals, noting the significant AI-related research activity at UVA. The Institute received proposals from six UVA schools, involving ten disciplines and three universities, all addressing key focus areas such as data privacy, ethical AI, and bias.
Conclusion
The UVA LaCross AI Institute's 2025 Fellowships in AI Research exemplify the power of collaboration in advancing ethical AI. By supporting projects that address privacy, fairness, and consumer trust, the Institute is paving the way for a future where AI technologies are developed responsibly and inclusively.
Key Takeaways
- The LaCross AI Institute is fostering interdisciplinary collaboration in ethical AI research.
- Fellowships were awarded for projects focusing on privacy, fairness, and consumer trust.
- The research aims to address biases in data collection and enhance privacy in digital advertising.
- The Institute's efforts highlight the importance of ethical considerations in AI development.