As AI and big data reshape society, challenges have emerged concerning fairness, privacy and accessibility. A critical industry for Canada and the world, the agri-food sector is at the center of this technological transformation, but the impact of AI in this context is under-researched.
Renewed as the Canada Research Chair in Science and Society, Dr. Kelly Bronson will lead a research program that aims at tackling the social and ethical concerns surrounding emerging technologies (particularly AI) by examining data policies, studying their impact on marginalized communities, and creating responsible AI frameworks to aid policymakers and farmers in Canada. Her research aims to integrate community values with technical knowledge, fostering evidence-based decision-making in the governance of controversial technologies such as GMOs, fracking, and AI. She investigates how AI and big data are transforming agriculture, particularly their impact on marginalized communities, and works on developing responsible AI frameworks to support policymakers and farmers.
Dr. Kelly Bronson is an Associate Professor at the School of Sociological and Anthropological Studies in the Faculty of Social Sciences and a Faculty member of the Centre for Law, Technology and Society at the University of Ottawa.
The renewal of her appointment confirms the excellence of her thought leadership and pioneering work at the intersection of technology and the environment. It will allow her to continue her impactful research on how artificial intelligence (AI) and big data reshape society.
The Canada Research Chairs Program invests to attract and retain some of the world’s most accomplished and promising minds. Chairholders aim to achieve research excellence in engineering and the natural sciences, health sciences, humanities, and social sciences.
This chair renewal highlights Dr. Kelly Bronson's dedication to addressing the ethical and social implications of technological innovation. Her research will continue to contribute to the development of policies that ensure equitable and inclusive technological progress for all and will reinforce the University of Ottawa's research leadership in technology law, ethics and policy.
Congratulations Dr. Kelly Bronson!