Blog – Page 4 – Welcome

Dr Oldfield speaks at Fujitsu on ethical development of AI

March 6, 2023

Dr Oldfield CStat, CSci, FIScT will be speaking to Fujitsu on the ethical development of AI. It is crucial to undertsand how to build ethical AI; and this does not just include the tech build. When we use language or try to encourage a certain behaviour from people this can also be unethical. Manipulation and exploitation can easily then be the result. So we need to know how we are affecting people at the other end of our implemented technology. This helps us build better and more positive AI that does not disadvantage or exploit people and society.

Dr Oldfield speaking at Legal and General on AI and Ethics

March 1, 2023

Dr Marie Oldfield CStat, CSci, FIScT will be speaking at Legal and General on 6th March on how we can construct transparent AI. Dr Oldfield said “AI and Ethics are a critical area to address so that we can progress in a way that is fair to society and minimise any disadvantage or unfairness”. Some developers use extra programmes such as SHAP and LIME to ‘explain’ their AI model. Looking at these models they look at the mechanics of the model and how how a data point was calculated. However, without understanding the model how can we understand or know why the data point was calculated. It is critical to have and understanding of context when building a model and without that understanding the end product can cause negative and catastrophic consequences for individuals and society.

Dr Oldfield speaks at Data Science Festival on AI and Society

February 9, 2023

To watch click here. AI and society is a critical subject to discuss. The impact of algorithms and data collection on individuals can be extremely harmful. Therefore, as developers and responsible citizens we have to consider not only what is acceptable to us but how much we are potentially exploited in out easily lives and how this can easily turn to harm and disadvantage. The philosophical side of AI development was explored and we discussed how programming is different to what we think; how we translate our thoughts into machine language or coding doesn’t always work. This can be seen in any assumptions to do with society or processes that are translated into lines of code but don’t work correctly. It is difficult to see when they don’t work correctly and our in depth knowledge of the model is crucial in order to fix any errors like that as they are the most difficult both to find and fix. To check out Marie’s Data Science Festival profile click here

Dr Oldfield to speak at REAIMS Summit (supported by Netherlands Foreign Ministry) on AI and Ethics as well as Gender Equity in Defence

February 1, 2023

Dr Marie Oldfield CStat, CSci, FIScT will be speaking at REAIMS in The Hague on Feb 16-17. Dr Oldfield said “It is critical to get the right people around the table and assume diverse representation. Therefore this opportunity to discuss gender equity is welcome. In addition the discussion of AI and Ethics is moving in a positive direction in defence, keeping this discussion moving is extremely important for future progress”. Click for link to event

Dr Oldfield interviewed by Technology Influencer Jon Grainger

December 19, 2022

Late in 2022 Dr Marie Oldfield was interviewed by Jon Granger, a technology influencer on AI and Ethics. The discussion was wide ranging and topics such as anthropomorphism leading to exploitation of society, AI and ethics, the development of models and technology as well as impacts on society were discussed. This is a very interesting topic and very hot right now. With the development of legislation and working groups all looking at impacts on society. Click here and select your favourite podcast provider.

Our work with CDEI has developed MOD understanding of ethical modelling

November 24, 2022

Our work with CDEI has led to the development of five principles to support the responsible use of AI in defence. These principles are designed to be applied throughout the lifecycle of any AI-enabled system; from initial conception, through design and development, to deployment, to decommission. The project to develop the ethical principles involved interviews, roundtables and workshops with more than 100 expert stakeholders from across defence, industry, academia, civil society, law and government, in the UK and internationally. This engagement was an essential part of the drafting process. Our Director said “There is more we can do to ensure the safety of those who work in defence with ethical modelling, I am pleased that this marks a welcome start to this project”. For more please click the following links: These ethical principles form the core of a policy statement published by the MoD today on safe and responsible AI use, which incorporates the MoD’s wider efforts on safety, testing and evaluation. The MoD has also published its Defence AI Strategy, which sets out its overall ambition for the use of AI.

Drugs and Firearms Case, Expert Statistical and DNA Input

November 2, 2022

Our work on the Peterborough Case of Drugs and Firearms illustrated in court the utility and interpretation of statistics and DNA Results. Our compliant reporting and technical input was pivotal to decisions reached in this case. Our Director said “We are very proud as a consultancy to work with a range of Solicitors and Chambers, providing objective statistics and DNA analysis for high profile cases. We provide expert input that is used to build the best case for the client” For more please find the press coverage below: Cambridge Police Peterborough News

Dr Marie Oldfield, Director, published by the House of Lords Enquiry PSU0075 – People and skills in UK science, technology, engineering and mathematics

October 24, 2022

This week Dr Marie Oldfield, Director, has had evidence published by the House of Lords Enquiry PSU0075 – People and skills in UK science, technology, engineering and mathematics. It is crucial that the UK be able to not only grow its own STEM practitioner base, but that it can also support these professionals in their work. “This call for evidence is particularly pertinent as we move forwards into a more technologically drive, digital age. Having the right people with the right skills to advance industry and UK policy is critical. Unfortunately what we consistently see is an education system that is too slow to keep up with advances, professional bodies that can’t move fast enough and practitioners that are then left behind. In the following published papers I discuss these issues at length and this formed the basis of my response to the UK Government Enquiry.” Papers quoted: Analytical Modelling and UK Government Policy Towards Pedagogy Supporting Ethics in Modelling The Future of Condition Based Monitoring : Risks of Operator Removal on Complex Platforms Ethical Funding for Trustworthy AI Link to the published evidence: Read Here

Oldfield Consultancy severs relationship with Avanti West Coast due to poor behaviours : Read our Directors Statement below.

September 5, 2022

Oldfield Consultancy has now severed its relationship with Avanti West Coast. Oldfield Consultancy has taken this step of severing this relationship as we have a duty of care to staff and associates travelling to site. In the last year our staff/associates have experienced bullying, harassment, abuse and discrimination from Avanti West Coast Staff and as a company we cannot tolerate this. In addition, cancellations without prior notice leaving staff stranded and without any Avanti staff to advise has caused ongoing issues for staff and financial issues for travel. Due to the lack of empathy, integrity or ethics shown by Avanti, the long timescale for complaints replies (if at all) and the lack of interest Avanti have shown in the distress they have caused to Oldfield Consultancy staff/associates and others we are now severing our relationship with Avanti West Coast from today’s date. In the future travel will be undertaken by air and with our preferred partners EasyJet and British Airways. Alternative rail companies will be considered.

Statistical and Risk Analysis Expert Input to Legal Casework

August 23, 2022

Our work on this case, alongside a team of Chambers and Solicitors, constitutes statistical and risk analysis expert input. Our human centered and technical input illustrates the fundamental value of statistics and risk and how they can be pivotal to decisions reached in legal cases such as this. Our Director said “We are very proud as a consultancy to work with a range of Solicitors and Chambers, providing objective statistics and DNA analysis for high profile cases. We provide expert input that is used to build the best case for the client”