Automated Decision-Making and Society

Our cross-disciplinary research is paving the way for responsible, ethical, and inclusive automated decision-making.

We are addressing challenging legal issues raised by artificial intelligence to improve the governance framework that safeguards human rights and autonomy.

Call for applications

Research Fellow in ADM - apps close 19 February 2025

What is ADM and why regulate?

Automated decision-making (ADM) comprises an expanding array of intelligent technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI) but also other forms of automation.  All kinds of organisations are developing and adopting ADM to solve challenging problems across sectors; to make essential services more personalised; and help to broaden choices and control for citizens and communities.

However, its widespread uptake has posed serious new risks to human rights and welfare, resulting from its misuse and malfunction, or unintended consequences of intended uses.

Potential harms include:

data discrimination against disadvantaged communities
spread of disinformation for political and commercial ends
increasing inequality
lower productivity
diminished economic security.

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Objectives

Generate an integrated understanding of ADM
Formulate world-leading policy and practice in responsible, ethical and inclusive ADM, for governments, industry and the non-profit sectors
Enhance public understanding and inform public debate on ADM
Educate and train researchers and practitioners in this challenging new field

The Sydney Law School is home to one of the nodes of the ADM+S Centre.

We focus on researching:

how automated decision-making is shaping and changing both public and private institutions in relation to their use of algorithms, and
how law, regulation and governance can help bring about better automated decision-making.

Our aim is to understand how this environment is governed in both public and private institutions and generate new insights that can improve that governance framework to better protect human rights and autonomy, democratic values, social inclusion, and the sustainable use of resources in ADM.

Together with our scholars and collaborators, including the Centre for AI Trust and Governance, the Law School is positioning itself at the frontlines of interdisciplinary work on technology issues, opening an array of opportunities to academics and students alike to make a real-world impact in the impending legal landscape.

The University of Sydney node works closely with the Gradient Institute and other external partners to inform the development of law, policy and practice in the development and adoption of ADM and AI.

The Sydney node contributes to the collective efforts of the Centre’s overall vision, joining almost one hundred researchers across 8 Australian Universities, and its long list of partners inside and outside the country.