top of page

B2: Cambridge research centre puts people at the heart of AI

The University of Cambridge today launches a new research centre dedicated to exploring the possibilities of a world shared by both humans and machines with artificial intelligence (AI).

The Centre for Human-Inspired Artificial Intelligence (CHIA) brings together researchers from engineering and mathematics, philosophy and social sciences; a broad range of disciplines to investigate how human and machine intelligence can be combined in technologies that best contribute to social and global progress.

Anna Korhonen, Director of CHIA and Professor of Natural Language Processing, said: “We know from history that new technologies can drive changes with both positive and negative consequences, and this will likely be the case for AI. The goal of our new Centre is to put humans at the centre of every stage of AI development – basic research, application, commercialisation and policymaking – to help ensure AI benefits everyone."

Artificial intelligence is a rapidly developing technology predicted to transform much of our society. While AI has the potential to tackle some of the world’s most pressing problems in healthcare, education, climate science and economic sustainability it will need to embrace its human origins to become responsible, transparent and inclusive.

​

Per-Ola Kristensson, Co-director of CHIA and Professor of Interactive Systems Engineering, said: “For true progress and real-life impact it’s critical to nurture a close engagement with industry, policy makers, non-governmental organisations and civil society. Few universities in the world can rival the breadth and depth of Cambridge making us ideally positioned to make these connections and engage with the communities who face the greatest impact from AI.”

​

Designed to deliver both academic and real-world impact, CHIA seeks partners in academic, industrial, third-sector and other organizations that share an interest in promoting human-inspired AI.

John Suckling, Co-director of CHIA and Director of Research in Psychiatric Neuroimaging, said: “Our students will be educated in an interdisciplinary environment with access to experts in the technical, ethical, human and industrial aspects of AI. Early-career researchers will be part of all our activities. We are committed to inclusivity and diversity as a way of delivering robust and practical outcomes.”

​

CHIA will educate the next generation of AI creators and leaders, with dedicated graduate training in human-inspired AI.

​

Professor Mark Girolami from the Department of Engineering, said: “As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly pervasive, it’s critical to align its development with societal interests. This new University-wide Centre will explore a human-centric approach to the development of AI to ensure beneficial outcomes for society. Cambridge's depth of expertise in AI and a focus on interdisciplinary collaboration make it an ideal home for CHIA.”

​

Apart from research and education, the CHIA will also host seminars, public events and international conferences to raise awareness of human-inspired AI. Forums will be convened around topics of ethical or societal concern with representation from all stakeholders.

​

Professor Anne Ferguson-Smith, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research, said: “If we’re to ensure that AI works for everyone and does not widen inequalities, then we need to place people at its heart and consider the societal and ethical implications alongside its development. Cambridge, with its ability to draw on researchers across multiple disciplines, is uniquely positioned to be able to lead in this area.”

​

Neil Lawrence, DeepMind Professor of Machine Learning, added: “Artificial intelligence is provoking new questions in our societies. It’s vital that we deliver the answers in a people-centric manner. The Centre in Human-Inspired AI will provide a new interdisciplinary hub that delivers the solutions for these challenges.”


​

​

Human-Inspired AI and Ethics Quiz (B2 Level)

​

https://www.academictutorsusa.com/general-7-52 

​

This 15-question multiple-choice quiz tests understanding of the Cambridge articles on human-centric AI, ethical principles for AI in language education, and the Centre for Human-Inspired Artificial Intelligence (CHIA). Choose the best answer for each question.

​

Quiz Instructions

This quiz has 15 multiple-choice questions based on Cambridge University content about human-inspired AI, ethical AI in language education, and the CHIA centre. It is for B2-level English students.

Directions:

A. Read each question carefully.

B. Choose the best answer (a, b, c, or d) by circling it or writing the letter.

C. There is only one correct answer per question.

D. Time suggestion: 20-25 minutes.

E. After completing, check the answer key below. No peeking!

​

—------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

  1. What is the main argument of Anna Korhonen's article?
    a) AI should replace human workers completely.
    b) AI can improve life if designed around human needs and values.​
    c) Current AI is already perfect for all tasks.
    d) AI has no role in solving global problems.
     

  2. According to the article, which global challenges could AI help address?
    a) Only climate change.
    b) Climate change, healthcare, education access, and inequality.​
    c) Just job losses.
    d) None of these.
     

  3. What do current AI systems lack, as mentioned by Korhonen?
    a) Power and speed.
    b) Human-like flexibility, contextual understanding, and judgment.​
    c) Interest from scientists.
    d) Enough data.
     

  4. How should AI be developed to unlock its potential?
    a) As a purely technical tool.
    b) In a human-centric way, enhancing abilities and being trustworthy.​
    c) Without input from other sciences.
    d) Only by tech companies.
     

  5. What fields should contribute to AI development beyond technology?
    a) Only computer science.
    b) Social, behavioral, cognitive, clinical, environmental sciences, and arts.​
    c) Sports and music only.
    d) No other fields.
     

  6. Why are cross-sector collaborations important?
    a) To make AI cheaper.
    b) To test and shape AI in real-world contexts for public good.​
    c) To avoid universities.
    d) For fun events.
     

  7. What new programs is Cambridge launching in October 2025?
    a) Sports coaching.
    b) MPhil and PhD in Human-Inspired Artificial Intelligence.​
    c) Business management.
    d) Art history.
     

  8. Who wrote the opinion article?
    a) A student.
    b) Anna Korhonen, Professor of Natural Language Processing and CHIA Director.​
    c) An unknown blogger.
    d) A policymaker.
     

  9. What is the goal of Cambridge's six ethical AI principles?
    a) To ban AI in education.
    b) To ensure credibility, fairness, and trust in language learning.​
    c) To make AI faster.
    d) To reduce teachers.
     


 

  1. What is the first principle for ethical AI?
    a) Ignore human standards.
    b) AI assessments must match human examiners' reliability.​
    c) Use less data.
    d) Focus only on speed.
     

  2. According to the second principle, what must AI be trained on?
    a) Old data only.
    b) Diverse, unbiased data with ongoing monitoring.​
    c) Single language data.
    d) No data needed.
     

  3. What does the third principle emphasize?
    a) Share all data publicly.
    b) Data privacy and consent with strong security.​
    c) Collect more data without asking.
    d) Ignore hacking risks.
     

  4. The fifth principle stresses that AI should:
    a) Replace humans completely.
    b) Enhance, not replace, human roles in teaching.​
    c) Avoid teachers.
    d) Work alone.
     

  5. What is CHIA's founding principle?
    a) Advance AI only for profit.
    b) Advance AI for humanity's benefit.​
    c) Ignore human intelligence.
    d) Focus on machines only.
     

  6. CHIA brings together experts from which areas?
    a) Only engineering.
    b) Core AI fields and human-centric disciplines like social and cognitive sciences.​
    c) Just arts.
    d) No collaborations.
     







 

​

Answer Key 

 

  1. b) AI can improve life if designed around human needs and values. (Core message of Korhonen's article.)​
     

  2. b) Climate change, healthcare, education access, and inequality. (Global challenges listed.)​
     

  3. b) Human-like flexibility, contextual understanding, and judgment. (Current AI limitations.)​
     

  4. b) In a human-centric way, enhancing abilities and being trustworthy. (How AI should be developed.)​
     

  5. b) Social, behavioral, cognitive, clinical, environmental sciences, and arts. (Interdisciplinary insights needed.)​
     

  6. b) To test and shape AI in real-world contexts for public good. (Role of collaborations.)​
     

  7. b) MPhil and PhD in Human-Inspired Artificial Intelligence. (New Cambridge programs starting 2025.)​
     

  8. b) Anna Korhonen, Professor of Natural Language Processing and CHIA Director. (Article author.)​
     

  9. b) To ensure credibility, fairness, and trust in language learning. (Goal of six principles.)​
     

  10. b) AI assessments must match human examiners' reliability. (Human-level standards.)​
     

  11. b) Diverse, unbiased data with ongoing monitoring. (Fairness principle.)​
     

  12. b) Data privacy and consent with strong security. (Data protection.)​
     

  13. b) Enhance, not replace, human roles in teaching. (Human involvement.)​
     

  14. b) Advance AI for humanity's benefit. (CHIA's founding principle.)​
     

  15. b) Core AI fields and human-centric disciplines like social and cognitive sciences. (CHIA's experts.)​
     

Scoring: 1 point per correct answer. 13-15: Excellent! 10-12: Good. 7-9: Review key points. Below 7

Other Reading Tasks from Academic Tutors USA

Section Title

This is a Paragraph. Click on "Edit Text" or double click on the text box to start editing the content and make sure to add any relevant details or information that you want to share with your visitors.

Slide Title

This is a Paragraph. Click on "Edit Text" or double click on the text box to start editing the content.

bottom of page