Academic work

I am an Associate Professor with Tenure (Swedish rank: Docent) at the Department of Applied Information Technology, University of Gothenburg, Sweden. My current and recent research work is here https://marisaponti.org/projects/.

Recent research topics have included machine-human integration in projects using citizen science and machine learning, and fairness and the use of AI technologies in education. My research has been funded by the Swedish Research Council, Marianne and Marcus Wallenberg Foundation, and NordForsk.

I teach courses relevant to the subject area of Artificial Intelligence, including a master course on Data and Society with a focus on data justice, and modules related to fairness and regulation in a new course on Fairness, Accountability, Transparency, and Ethics, within the new program on Human-centered AI, starting in 2023 at the Department of Applied IT.

A complete list of my activities is here

Policy work

From September 2018 to August 2019, I was on leave of absence to work as a Scientific Officer at the European Commission Joint Research Centre (JRC), Strategy and Work Programme Coordination, Scientific Development Unit, Ispra, Italy. I worked on the project: The Digital Transformation and Governance of Human Societies.

Given the increasing importance of understanding the impact of emerging technologies at the societal and ethical level – with a particular emphasis on enhancing individuals’ civic duties and engagement levels – I am keen to get actively involved in international initiatives on policy and strategy guidelines.

I am interested in working on the actions that influential decision-makers might take to prepare for a world with advanced technologies. The opportunity to contribute to policy development and advising is extremely valuable to me. Therefore, starting in 2023, I have been appointed Member of the European Commission Expert Group called the Innovation Friendly Regulations Advisory Group – IFRAG. The task of this expert group is to support DG RTD and DG CNECT with advice and recommendations for policies on emerging digital technologies.

Starting September 2023, I have also been appointed a Member of the expert group on Data Governance. Evaluation of novel approaches for environmental data sharing and use by the Digital Transformation and Data Unit and Digital Economy Unit, EU Joint Research Centre.

I also served as an Independent expert in the multi-stakeholder consultation on the Citiverse in EU set up by the European Commission Directorate-General for Communications Network Content and Technology (DG Connect) on initiating a co-creative process on delivering a Pre-standardisation roadmap on the CitiVerse. Responsible for synthesizing submissions from the consultation related to horizontal aspects.