AI skills project

This project aims to develop core skills training in AI methods and is funded under the Digital Research Infrastructure (DRI) scheme ‘New approaches to digital skills development’, run by UKRI. It started in October 2024 and will run until April 2027.

Team: The project is led by Professor Gabriele Durrant (University of Southampton, Department of Social Statistics and Demography), with co-leads Professor Dianna Smith (University of Southampton, School of Geography), Professor Leslie Carr (University of Southampton, Web Science Institute), Professor David Bann (University College London), Dr Liam Wright (University College London), Dr James Hall (University of Southampton, School of Education) and Dr Sarah Lewthwaite (University of Southampton, School of Education).

Context

Recent innovations in artificial intelligence and machine learning (hereafter 'AI') are projected to transform society and influence how we conduct research.

This project delivers an innovative training and capacity building (TCB) programme that will help to ensure that the UK remains at the forefront of digital skills concerning AI. To achieve this goal, the programme will be UK-wide, span the career life course, and will take the form of a partnership model characterised by collaboration with organisations who will benefit from co-delivering and receiving this TCB.

The programme leverages the UK-wide partnership model of the UK's National Centre for Research Methods (NCRM) - a model that is well established, well-integrated with ESRC data and digital infrastructure investments, and well-known for its high-quality provision of TCB activities. This empowers the new programme to co-develop TCB activities that are feasible, suitable and responsive to the needs of target audiences and DRI investments, including, for example, the Office for National Statistics, Environment Agency and UK Data Service.

At present, AI techniques to handle and analyse existing and new forms of data are being developed but training from such research is limited, not easily accessible, and not always targeted at those most in need - all of which require skills development via a TCB programme in this area.

Aims and objectives

This programme aims to develop core skills training in AI methods to aid the use of different types of data, and to enable DRIs to trial new approaches to enhancing skills. It has the following four objectives, to:

1. Engage with partners/collaborators and identified key stakeholders and users, (including ESRC/UKRI investments).
2. Identify and respond to emerging training and pedagogic needs.
3. Develop and deliver TCB that is effective and efficient across three themes:

   • Large Language Models (LLM) for (survey) research and data usage
   • AI in prediction and in polling data
   • Use of AI to support environmental sustainability research.
4. Maximise real-world impacts.

Potential applications and benefits

The co-developed TCB programme leverages the NCRM national training infrastructure (including nationwide partners expert in digital research and skills) in order to deliver shorter-term and longer-term benefits for individuals, organisations, and the wider research community. Target organisations include existing NCRM partners and existing UK DRI investments who are working with the new and emerging forms of data that are resulting from innovations in AI.

Potential applications and benefits for individuals, organisations, and the wider research community include: upskilling; advancement of methodological and pedagogical practice; enhanced methods teaching capacity; improved DRI services; and improvements in the way individuals and organisations develop networks, gain new employment, secure funding, and implement methods. The project enables individuals and organisations to apply new and improved skills to research and data that has economic, societal, policy, and/or cultural benefit. In the longer-term, these benefits will impact upon and enable world-leading research.