LSE Data Science Institute

Throughout 2025 LSE will be exploring the implications of emerging new technologies and their societal, economic and political ramifications through short films, blogs, articles and events including the LSE Festival 2025: Visions for the Future. Read the first Social Science in Action newsletter of 2025 to learn about some of the urgent questions being tackled by our academics.

🦾 The technological advancements made by humans over the past century are like no other 100-year period in history. 🤖 Artificial intelligence can write paragraphs like this in a nanosecond, robots perform surgery that saves lives, automated drones deliver emergency packages during global crises, and we can connect with others thousands of miles away from a device in our pockets that also plays music. 🧬 However, the technologies that inform, inspire, and unite humanity can also increase disinformation, intimidation, and division. In parallel, the technological advancements that can enhance productivity – and support creativity and innovation – can also supplant human labour and exacerbate wealth inequality. At LSE our researchers are using tech’s revolutionary power to understand our world better, looking at AI and tech’s potential to do good, and limiting its potential to do harm. 📹 Join us as we launch a brand new video series exploring AI, technology and society. 👨💻 Explore our dedicated hub showcasing LSE research and commentary on AI, Tech and Society: https://lnkd.in/eFgGdTsp

In the global AI race, battle lines are being drawn and the stakes couldn’t be higher. Technology executives now have a direct line to government leaders and are writing policy and influencing key decisions around AI development that will shape the future of global politics, diplomacy, security and competition. In this new LSE Business Review blog, Mairéad Pratschke, PhD discusses these and other developments in light of a new book by Henry Kissinger, Craig Mundie and Eric Schmidt. Join us this Thursday, in person The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) or online, to hear Mairéad Pratschke in conversation with Craig Mundie about the book – Genesis: artificial intelligence, hope, and the human spirit. Read the blog (where you will find a link to register for the event) ⤵️ https://lnkd.in/dWk866kg

As many experts today, from Yuval Noah Harari to Geoffrey Hinton argue, artificial intelligence is both a serious challenge and a window of opportunity that will make many things possible. In their new book "Genesis: Artificial Intelligence, Hope, and the Human Spirit", Henry A Kissinger, Eric Schmidt and Craig Mundie explore the transformative potential and existential dilemmas involved in AI’s rapid evolution. Combining historical, technological and philosophical perspectives, their thought-provoking book puts forward ethical strategies for adaptation with AI that enshrine human dignity. Read this LSE Review of Books blog by Fatih Bildirici MSc to find out more and get tickets to hear Craig Mundie speaking at The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) next Thursday (30 January) about the book with Mairéad Pratschke, PhD. (You will find a link to the event at the top of the blog). https://lnkd.in/ePg_jhYh

Next Thursday (30 January) Craig Mundie co-author of "Genesis: artificial intelligence, hope, and the human spirit" will discuss his new book with Mairéad Pratschke, PhD at The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). They will talk about the strategy, outlined in the book, for navigating the age of #AI by charting a course between blind faith and unjustified fear and discuss answers to some of the biggest questions of our generation including whether AI could spur a new phase in human evolution. Get tickets to attend this free public event now ⤵️ https://lnkd.in/eub3_RRa

Tonight's public lecture co-hosted with LSE Department of Statistics is about to begin. David Spiegelhalter is talking about his latest book, "The Art of Uncertainty How to Navigate Chance, Ignorance, Risk and Luck". During his presentation he will show us how to use the theory of probability to prove whether people really are lucky and to quantify chance. Tune in live now on YouTube👇 https://lnkd.in/edgNs3px #LSEEvents

Get your tickets NOW for our public event next week – Genesis: artificial intelligence, hope, and the human spirit (lines open at 10am Wednesday 22 January). Join us to hear Craig Mundie talk with Mairéad Pratschke, PhD about his new book (co-authored with the late elder statesman Henry Kissinger and technologist Eric Schmidt). The conversation will explore some of the biggest questions of our generation around #AI and its impact on our world and on humanity. Find out more and click on "How can I attend?" to apply for a ticket🔽 https://lnkd.in/eub3_RRa

Winter Term kicks off at LSE with our brand new LSE Data Science Institute undergraduate course - "DS205 Advanced Data Manipulation".  I am delighted to be working with fantastic colleagues Valentin Jahn and Sylvan Lutz from the Transition Pathway Initiative (TPI) Centre at the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change & the Environment. The #TPICentre is an independent, authoritative source of research and data into the progress being made by corporate and sovereign entities in making the transition to a low-carbon economy. Over 11 weeks, DS205 students will tackle real climate finance challenges through advanced data manipulation, delivering production-ready solutions that contribute to TPI's mission while building their professional portfolios. We kicked off yesterday with an introduction and the first of our weekly live coding demonstrations. At the end of the term, I will share news on how it all went. Shoutout also to our teaching & support staff: Alexander Soldatkin, Barry Ledeatte, Sara Luxmoore and Kevin Kittoe and to Yan Zhou, who will also play a role there. #DataScience #ClimateFinance #HigherEducation #LSE Behold the silly little AI icon generated for the course.

💡 What could a PhD-level data scientist do for your business? The Turing Internship Network (TIN) is the Alan Turing Institute’s paid internship scheme that connects PhD researchers with leading host organisations across industry, government and the third sector. Benefits of becoming a TIN partner host organisation: ✅ Access a pipeline of talented highly motivated PhD researchers ✅ Tackle data science challenges with academic expertise ✅ Establish connections with potential future employees ✅ Enhance your team’s diversity and innovation ✅ Contribute to shaping the next generation of data scientists The Turing will manage all processes and recruitment between you sending the role descriptions and up to interviewing the shortlisted candidates. We spoke to Caroline Tudor, Partnerships Lead, AI for Linked Data, BOLD programme, Ministry of Justice UK (MoJ): 🗨️ “[The] Turing has a rigorous application process enabling partners to carefully match PhD students’ specialisms to specific MoJ data science and AI projects. It is a two-way process: we provide some of the most challenging problems in government and invite interns to develop innovative technical solutions supported by MoJ’s vibrant community of data specialists.”  📩 Interested? Contact us about becoming a TIN partner: internshipnetwork@turing.ac.uk 💡 Learn more about being a TIN partner: https://bit.ly/3Chljt0 #AI #ArtificialIntelligence #DataScience #Internship #PaidInternship #Partnerships #PhD #PhdOpportunities #PhdOpportunity #PhdPositions #Research #TuringInternshipNetwork

📚 Ethical, safe and responsible AI: 8 workbooks to guide your work Ethics researchers from the Turing’s Public Policy Programme have created a series of eight workbooks to provide organisations with end-to-end guidance on applying ethical values and practical principles to AI projects. 📖 The workbooks are designed to assist AI project teams in ensuring that the AI technologies they build, procure or use are ethical, safe and responsible. 🔎 All 8 topics are covered on our easy-to-use interactive platform: https://bit.ly/4g6g2lO Share and save the AI Ethics and Governance in Practice workbook series: 1.📒 An Introduction Read now: https://bit.ly/4hpswWL 2.📒 AI Sustainability in Practice Part One: Foundations for Sustainable AI Projects Read now: https://bit.ly/40Fw7dU 3.📒 AI Sustainability in Practice Part Two: Sustainability Throughout the AI Workflow Read now: https://bit.ly/40DL0xq 4.📒 AI Fairness in Practice Read now: https://bit.ly/3WtMKH8 5.📒 Responsible Data Stewardship in Practice Read now: https://bit.ly/4amD4nv 6.📒 AI Safety in Practice Read now: https://bit.ly/4hgYeWV 7.📒 AI Explainability in Practice Read now: https://bit.ly/40pKLo9 8.📒 AI Accountability in Practice Read now: https://bit.ly/3Ck4tK7 Learn more about the programme: https://bit.ly/3CpGedp #AI #AiForGood #ArtificialIntelligence #AiEthics #AiPolicy #AiRegulation #AiSafety #DataScience #MachineLearning #PublicPolicy #Research #ResponsibleAI