RESEARCH

My transdisciplinary research focuses on human-centred AI. We are moving into the age of AI agents. My research investigates how we can orchestrate AI agents to align with human preferences and expectations so that AI behaves in ways users and stakeholders want it to. My work applies to human-AI decision-making in mission-critical innovation and human-AI collaboration in organisations from startups and corporations to social enterprises and government.

INNOVATION  

I focus on human-centred methods for AI and machine learning. I developed the 5D Innovation Framework and use it to drive the development of novel models for AI, machine learning, behavioural design, human-AI decision making, design thinking, strategic management, risk management, entrepreneurial leadership, law and assurance. 

ENTREPRENEURSHIP

I come from a long line of entrepreneurs with a strong sense of fun, adventure, commitment, persistence, and accountability. My role at UNSW is focused on delivering value to key stakeholders: students, staff, alumni, and the wider innovation ecosystem. I help guide researchers and student founders in developing the innovation leadership skills they need to navigate and accelerate their entrepreneurial journey.

ENGAGEMENT

I work with industry, the professions, and government to bring radical innovation and practical methods to business challenges and create new opportunities. Partners include Roche, the United Nations, IBM, Google, Sony, Softbank, EY, Gartner, PwC, Apple, CBA, CNRS France, Lund University Sweden, and Stanford University.

BREAKTHROUGH TECHNOLOGY

I explore and experiment with breakthrough AI technologies that have the potential to create new value, disturb existing value pools, and create new ones, unlocking extraordinary opportunities and strategic benefits for business and society.

EXECUTIVE AND RESEARCH TRAINING

I design transformative educational experiences that are exciting, engaging, and fun. Changing mindsets, enabling new learning strategies through the discovery of new insights and newfound confidence for leadership and innovation.

Today's innovations and entrepreneurship are having an unprecedented impact on business and society. The key challenge is the design and development of safe and responsible real-world human-AI innovation.

Enjoy our BBC story on social impact.

Current Focus:  Human-Centred AI Agents that align with human preferences and expectations.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) that can enhance, improve and scale human expertise is dramatically changing and impacting our social and working lives, influencing how we perceive and interact with the physical and digital world. 

Society is rapidly moving into the AI-Age where individuals, citizens, societal groups, businesses, governments and the global economy increasingly rely on the perceptions, decisions and actions of AI. 

Human-AI collaboration is the study of how humans and AI work together to accomplish tasks and shared goals. 

My research focuses on addressing the significant barriers and risks that prevent AI from delivering the extraordinary benefits it has the potential to generate. Today, AI can outperform humans in making predictions, but it cannot explain its predictions to humans. People are often unable to find the insights fro blackbox AI technologies to fully realise the benefit of AI. Without insights and understanding, humans cannot demonstrate the extent to which AI algorithms are safe, fair and responsible. This is an urgent problem that needs to be solve. We need robust AI solutions to unlock the benefits for business, society and humanity.

A related research focus is explainable AI. Today, however, AI is not transparent or accountable, unable to explain perceptions, decisions and actions. AI that cannot explain its behaviour and decisions is a significant problem for business, government and society. 

People need explanations to develop trust and confidence in AI, execute AI recommendations, and accept AI actions and outcomes. Furthermore, regulators insist that business, industry and government demonstrate that their AI algorithms comply with the law. How will AI systems avoid discrimination against specific groups, and comply with anti-discrimination law?

My current focus is on developing new approaches to eXplainable AI (XAI) as a means of making AI more transparent, accountable, and trustworthy. Artificial Intelligence (AI) continues to have a profound impact on all aspects of business, government and civil society. To help bring more clarity and to explore potential solutions to the rapidly growing urgent issues, we launched the AI Policy Hub in 2018.

You can find one of my papers at the Royal Society that outlines how Australia can lead in the new AI-driven world. It is provides a summary of a presentation to the four esteemed national academies at NSW Government House in Australia in November 2018. 

In 2019 (Sydney Australia) our Social Robotics RoboCup Team became World Champions. RoboCup is the largest competition for benchmarking AI research. It attracts more than 2000 researchers every year.

My team Social Robotics team was established in 2017. Social robots are an emerging disruptive technology for human-centric business environments.

We won the Human-Robot Interface Award and came second in 2017 (Nagoya Japan) and 2018 (Montreal Canada) at the International RoboCup Championships.

The RoboCup opportunity enriches our unique research partnership with Softbank Robotics, strengthens our exciting partnerships with CBA and the South Western Sydney Local Health District, and opens the door to new collaborations and partnerships.

Distinguished Professor Steve Wozniak (Woz) with PhD Students Meg, Sammy and Chand.

Distinguished Professor Steve Wozniak (Woz) with Jesse, Chand, Meg, Neil, Sammy and Le.