AI Mission Research
We connect academic knowledge, practical experience and diverse perspectives to better understand how AI is adopted and experienced in the real world.
01 — Our current stage
Early, open and collaborative.
We currently contribute through partnerships, knowledge exchange and conversations that connect research with people and organisations navigating AI transformation.
Our starting point
Whether AI creates value depends on the people involved, the context in which it is introduced and the organisational conditions surrounding it.
01
Who participates in decisions about AI?
02
Whose knowledge and experience are represented?
03
How does context affect whether AI works?
04
What helps organisations move from experiments to adoption?
05
What capabilities help people work effectively with AI?
06
How can women and young people shape an AI-enabled future?
01 — Our foundation
Inclusion is where our inquiry begins.
AI Mission Hub began by advancing women's participation, visibility and leadership in artificial intelligence. That commitment continues to shape the questions we ask and the partnerships we develop.
As our work evolves, we are also creating opportunities for young people and other voices that may be underrepresented in AI decisions.
Understanding AI requires insight into people, culture, work, power and the contexts in which technology is used.
Current collaborations
Our strongest contribution today is through partnerships whose expertise complements our focus on human-centred and inclusive AI adoption.
Associated partner
01
Centre for AI and Creativity
Programme collaboration
02
Social Sciences for AI
A four-month research fellowship for social scientists with fieldwork experience in regions where AI is being deployed. Fellows conduct a cultural audit of an AI product and present their findings to industry leaders at the Making AI Listen workshop (March 2027).
The fellowship is designed and run by Polyfoni. AI Mission Hub co-creates the industry mentorship layer: matching fellows with mentors from our corporate network, hosting masterclasses on AI product management and stakeholder communication, and providing a stage for fellows to present their work at the AI Mission Hub Showcase.
This is not a classroom programme. Fellows apply what they already know — ethnographic methods, contextual inquiry, cross-cultural analysis — through a structured method to evaluate AI products that affect the communities they study.
Applications close 30 September 2026.
Emerging areas of interest
These are emerging interests, not established research programmes. They will develop through partnerships, community insight and practical experience.
01
How can women, young people and communities with different experiences participate meaningfully in shaping AI?
Participation · Culture · Representation
02
What helps organisations move from AI interest and experimentation to responsible everyday use?
Leadership · Capability · Governance
03
How can people work with AI while strengthening judgment, creativity and agency?
Learning · Work · Human + AI
04
How is AI being introduced in real industries, public services and communities?
Ocean · Education · Public good
How we contribute
We do not claim ownership of research led by our partners. Our role varies by project and is agreed with the people involved.
01
Connect researchers with organisations
02
Bring community perspectives into research
03
Contribute to masterclasses and roundtables
04
Support interviews, surveys and cases
05
Translate research into accessible learning
06
Connect questions with adoption challenges
What we will share
We are not promising a fixed publication schedule. New work will be shared when it is ready.
01
Accessible explanations of relevant partner and external research.
02
Interviews and reflections from people working with AI.
03
Insights emerging from Academy, Lab and community activities.
04
Articles, reports and workshop findings developed with partners.
Every output will identify whether it is AI Mission Hub work, a collaboration, programme learning or a summary of research produced by others.
Work with us
We welcome conversations with researchers, organisations and practitioners interested in connecting research with practical, inclusive AI adoption.
