Part One: Research
Let's start with your DPhil - can you tell us what you focused on?
My DPhil had three parts, with one unifying question: Can AI systems be the types of things that can be morally responsible for what they do?
- The first part addressed theoretical questions about what makes something a 'moral agent' (i.e. something that can act for moral reasons).
- The second part specifically focused on Artificial Intelligence. Can AI actually instantiate these capacities? Can it act from reasons at all? Can it recognise right from wrong? Does it have beliefs?
- Finally, the third part considered the practical implications of this research. How should we use AI in light of these questions? Should we allow AI to make moral decisions? To be judges?
Fascinating, and what led you to this particular area?
But I’ve always been torn between two worlds. I really like theoretical questions; I’ve always been interested in responsibility, action, and the true nature of these things. But then I’ve also been pulled by applied questions like ‘How should we live our lives?’ and ‘How should we use technology?’ This topic was the perfect way to marry those interests.
ChatGPT came out during the course of my DPhil, which made my project a lot more exciting to myself and to other people. It became much easier to talk about.
You’ve explained the Philosophy of it all, but why the AI?
A couple of reasons:
- It’s very topical, which is great for engaging with people.
- It’s good to have a fast-moving aspect to complement Philosophy, which is very slow-moving.
- Oxford has this new Institute for the Ethics of AI, which was a very big pull for me.
- And I think it’s just a topic that asks a lot of the old questions of Philosophy, but in a very new way. There’s an element of the unknown. What will the next AI innovation be? So it’s a fun testbed for a lot of ideas.
Part Two: The Reuben Experience
And what brought you to the University and Reuben College?
I was in the first cohort at Reuben. They offered me funding, I came here, and I’m so glad I did. It ended up being a really great fit for me, and I like that they support interdisciplinarity.
I completed my undergrad in Philosophy and Public Policy (again, that balance of theoretical and practical) in the US, then I took an unusual path: I did a degree in Medieval Icelandic Studies. I lived in Iceland for a year and completed a thesis on free will in Medieval Iceland. My research was Philosophy-related and looked at questions of responsibility, but, at the same time, I was just following another interest that I had.
I had studied abroad at Oxford for a term during my undergraduate degree, so it was always on my radar. It just ended up working out that I could come back!
What was your first experience as part of Reuben's first ever cohort?
Moving into Farndon Court. The first year was really fun! It felt like we had this scrappy mentality of being at a very old place in a new college. We were wanting to build our own traditions, figure out what things were going to be like, and eagerly awaiting the College building! The first cohort bonded in a special way - it was really nice to be part of that. (We also had the weekly dinners at the Natural History Museum, which was so fun!)
What have been your highlights in engaging with the College?
My biggest highlight has been the people. My closest friends in Oxford aren’t from my course, they’re from Reuben College. These are people I’ve lived with and I think I’ll be close to for the rest of my life.
I’ve also really enjoyed being part of the College's Ethics & Values theme. I was the student representative for E&V for a couple of years, which offered insight into how some elements of the College work behind the scenes. It was especially meaningful to try and connect with other students in the theme and the humanities.
Part Three: Jen's Final Thoughts
If you could describe Reuben in three words, what would they be?
The one that comes to mind first is innovative. We’ve had to figure things out because the College is so young, and that’s led to a lot of interesting traditions and solutions.
Interdisciplinary is the word I’d use to sum up the academic side. They’re always acknowledging that people cross disciplines, and I think that that’s cool.
The final word would be inclusive. I don’t think Reuben’s a college where people feel unwelcome, even down to the dress code at formal dinners and the way GCR meetings are carried out. It seems like lots of different people can feel at home and supported here. And that’s probably something unique about Reuben.
