UKRI AI Centre for Doctoral Training in AI for Digital Media Inclusion

Our vision is to train future creative industry leaders to realise the potential of AI to enable intelligent digital media services designed to be inclusive for all. Future media, driven by the growth opportunities of personalisation, will intelligently adapt to individual interest, demographics and accessibility needs to increase audience engagement and reduce barriers to inclusion. This CDT will combine Surrey's world-leading expertise in people-centred AI with RHUL StoryFutures' track-record of innovation in next generation digital media to (1) establish a unique creative industry hub for high-quality training in AI, inclusive design and creative skills, and (2) catalyse UK leadership in media inclusion for the whole UK population and beyond.

Digital media has transformed the way we access mass-media from books through to podcasts, radio, TV, film, games, the web and interactive entertainment. Access to digital media is central to the way we live, work and play, providing our primary interface for education, health, entertainment, retail, finance, communication and government services. Creating digital media content and services that are inclusive for all is essential for societal equality and a business necessity to increase engagement for diverse audiences, the 'Purple pound' alone is valued at over £274bn per year in the UK. This CDT will forge an innovative model of training for a new generation of creative industry professionals to lead the creation of future AI-enabled intelligent media services designed with inclusion for all at their heart.

AI has the potential to transform all forms of digital media from today's pre-defined one-size-fits-all content to intelligent media that dynamically adapts to individual preferences and inclusion needs for diverse audiences, such as choice of language for health guidance, or news content for all ages. UK creative industry growth is severely limited by access to individuals with key AI and creative...