How a PhD can support keeping artificial intelligence ethical

Life as a graduate researcher: Henrietta Lyons

PhD candidate Henrietta Lyons is using her legal skills to research how we can design systems for appealing decisions made by artificial intelligence.

For PhD candidate Henrietta Lyons, the reality of studying a fast-moving field such as artificial intelligence (AI) means that her research project has also changed over time.

“Initially, I was looking at how we could get AI to explain its decisions,” she says. “But now I’m looking at contestability in algorithmic decision-making. Essentially, how can we appeal decisions that are made using AI or algorithms?

“I’ve designed different review processes that could be used to appeal these decisions, and I’m trying to work out what people prefer. It’s very much taking that human-centred approach.”

Early on in her PhD in Engineering and IT, Henrietta sought out case studies on algorithmic decision-making. She was particularly struck by one example, where an algorithm was used to determine who among a group of teachers should be fired.

“Maybe you can give an explanation for that decision, but if there still isn’t a process available that enables the people who are affected to appeal, then what’s the point? These decisions are often significant in a person’s life,” she says.

“It comes down to the idea of justice and autonomy – the ability to have any sort of autonomy over your own life.”

Supporting ethical AI governance

Henrietta received an Ingenium scholarship that supported her for the duration of her PhD, which means she has not had to work while studying.

The COVID-19 pandemic interfered with her plans to use the funding to attend international conferences. But the university was flexible in helping her seek out other opportunities, and she used the Ingenium scholarship to enrol in a company directors’ course.

“It was fantastic, and an opportunity for me to bring those legal policy skills and this understanding of AI together. I’m interested in AI governance in organisations, including companies, so that was incredibly beneficial.”

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A multidisciplinary approach

After graduating from a double degree in law and commerce, Henrietta joined the world of corporate law. But she soon realised that she wanted to do something different. She worked in various government roles, moved to Vancouver and embarked on some travelling, before returning home to work in policymaking.

“While I was employed at WorkSafe, I got really interested in how we could regulate emerging technology,” she says. “It was such a fascinating area, and we were next door to the Transport Accident Commission, which was thinking about autonomous vehicles. I just thought that was really interesting.”

She embarked on a Master of Public Policy at the University of Melbourne. But when she heard about an opportunity for students interested in multidisciplinary research, she was inspired to take the leap and embark on a PhD.

“The fact that I had this legal background, as well as some psychology, meant that I could bring those skills with me.”

Henrietta now sits in the Human-Computer Interaction lab, in the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technologies, which draws from many different disciplines to investigate how humans use computers.

“It’s such a unique group. It’s big, there are many different experts in it. You’ve got experts engaged in qualitative research and quantitative research, and there’s so much collaboration going on - it’s just phenomenal,” she says.

When she finishes her research in 2024, Henrietta wants to use her PhD to pursue a career thinking through AI governance issues, whether that be in a research role, corporate governance or the practical implementation of policy. As a rapidly changing, cutting-edge field that affects all aspects of society, she says her interdisciplinary background will play a crucial role.

“I think the University of Melbourne really does interdisciplinarity well. I’ve been part of a number of initiatives arranged by the Centre for AI and Digital Ethics that have combined the law school, the art school, the school of engineering. I think that’s really valuable.”

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