Beyond optimising technology, our human-centred AI research examines how artificial intelligence can support better decisions, strengthen human capability and contribute to more sustainable, equitable and resilient futures for individuals and industry.
Research area overview
How can we ensure artificial intelligence strengthens people, communities and the planet rather than simply optimising technology?
Artificial intelligence is reshaping how we learn, work, govern and make decisions. Its influence now extends across education, healthcare, industry, government and everyday life. Yet the most important questions about AI are not only technical. They are social, ethical and human.
At TD Research within the UTS Transdisciplinary School, we explore how AI is transforming society and how it can be designed, governed and applied responsibly. We bring together expertise across education, design, data science, policy, futures thinking and systems thinking to address both the opportunities and consequences of emerging technologies.
Rather than focusing solely on what AI can do, we investigate what AI should do, who benefits, who is affected and what kinds of futures these technologies are helping create.
Why a transdisciplinary approach to AI?
The challenges and opportunities created by AI cannot be solved by technology alone.
Our unique transdisciplinary approach:
- Integrates diverse expertise across design, education, technology, policy and social research.
- Examines systems as well as technologies, considering social, environmental and organisational impacts.
- Connects research with practice through collaboration with industry, government and communities.
- Focuses on real-world outcomes, helping organisations adopt and govern AI responsibly.
- Explores long-term implications to ensure emerging technologies contribute to positive futures.
This enables organisations and communities to move beyond technological hype and engage with AI in ways that are ethical, equitable and future-focused.
Project and theme highlights
- Grounding the Cloud - Investigating the social, environmental and community impacts of digital and AI infrastructure.
- Mapping AI's Role in NSW Governance - Examining how generative AI is being integrated into government systems and decision-making processes
- Supporting respomsible AI governance -Cultivating deeper, critical engagement and advancing explainable AI approaches that help learners and educators understand how AI systems reach recommendations and decisions.
Our research advances human-centred AI as both a capability and a practice for navigating technological change.
Other research streams and topic areas explored through this lens include:
AI in Learning and Human Development
This research explores how AI is reshaping education, learning and skill development. It focuses on AI literacy, learning analytics, assessment innovation and the capabilities people need to thrive in an AI-enabled world.
AI Governance and Responsible Innovation
This research examines how AI influences policy, institutions and decision-making. It investigates governance frameworks, accountability, transparency, ethics and responsible approaches to AI adoption.
Human-AI Interaction and Decision Support
This research explores how people work with AI systems in practice. It focuses on human-centred design, visual analytics, explainability and decision-support tools that enhance human judgement.
AI, Sustainability and Societal Futures
This research investigates how AI intersects with environmental sustainability, climate resilience and societal wellbeing. It examines both the benefits of AI applications and the impacts of the infrastructures that support them.
Enterprise Learning and Industry Collaboration
Alongside our research, we work with organisations to build capability for navigating the opportunities and challenges of AI.
This includes things such as:
- Building AI literacy and organisational readiness
- Developing responsible AI governance frameworks
- Supporting AI-enabled innovation and transformation
- Designing human-centred AI systems and services
- Exploring future scenarios and emerging technology impacts
These engagements extend our research into practice, helping organisations adopt AI with greater confidence, responsibility and societal awareness.
Explore some examples of our impact in practice below:
Shaping Technologies That Shape Us with Microsoft
Shaping Technologies That Shape Us - Equipping students from diverse disciplines to design AI solutions that contribute to the common good
Developing a UTS-wide AI Literacy program with Students
Students and academics worked together to develop a university-wide AI literacy program, helping learners from all disciplines build the knowledge and skills needed to engage critically and responsibly with generative AI.
Exploring emerging technologies with Miro
Working with collaboration platform Miro, students explored how emerging technologies and AI could transform workplace collaboration, generating innovative concepts for the future of work.
Contact us
At TD Research, we believe the future of AI is about more than technology. It is about people, organisations and societies adapting to change in ways that are responsible, inclusive and sustainable.
We work with partners to understand the opportunities and challenges of AI, develop future-ready capabilities and translate research into practical action.
Together, we can explore how AI can deliver meaningful value while remaining aligned with human needs, public good and long-term societal outcomes.
To learn more about TD Research and explore opportunities for collaboration, contact us below.