Elizabeth Seger, Ph.D.
AI Governance & Ethics Researcher |
Philosopher | outdoor enthusiast
I am the Director of Technology Policy at Demos, a London based thinktank where we strive to build bridges between politicians, technical experts, and citizens to make sure technology works for and with people. I was previously a researcher with Centre for the Governance of AI (GovAI) in Oxford, and am an affiliate of the AI: Futures and Responsibility Project (AI:FAR) at the University of Cambridge.
My research interests lie broadly in the ethics and governance of dual use technologies.
I currently lead research streams on open-source model sharing strategy and policy, AI Democratization, and Epistemic Security
I hold a PhD and MSc in Philosophy of Science and Technology from the University of Cambridge and a BSc in Bioethics from UCLA.
Active Research Projects
Open-Source Model Sharing
Recent decisions by AI developers to open-source foundation models have sparked debate over the prudence of open-sourcing increasingly capable AI systems.
What are the risks and benefits of open-source model release? How do other model release strategies compare? Should, and if so, how should model release be regulated for increasingly capable AI systems?
The Democratization of AI
AI labs are talking about their efforts to “democratize AI”, but what, exactly, does that mean?
This project investigates what would be involved in genuine and comprehensive efforts to democratize AI?
Epistemic Security
In our technologically advanced age it is becoming increasingly difficult to decide who and what to believe.
How do emerging technologies – like recommender systems and generative AI – harm our knowledge seeking processes? How might they be employed to help?
Recent Activity
Open-Sourcing Highly Capable Foundation Models
New report proving and in-depth analysis of the risks and benefits of open-sourcing highly capable foundation model. The report also explores alternative methods for pursuing some open-source goals at less risk.
– September 2023
Democratizing AI: Multiple Meaning, Methods, and Goals
In the Proceedings of the AAAI/ACM Conference on AI, Ethics, and Society
Numerous parties are calling for “the democratisation of AI”, but the phrase seems to refer to a variety of goals—which sometimes conflict. If we want to move beyond ambiguous commitments to democratising AI, to productive discussions of concrete policies and trade-offs, then we need to recognise the principal role of the democratisation of AI governance in navigating tradeoffs and risks across decisions around use, development, and profits.
– August 2023
Contact
LindedIn
Twitter: @ea_seger
Elizabeth Seger 