Junior Fellow: Desirable AI. Rethinking AI for Just and Sustainable Futures

The Junior Fellowship position is part of the international research project Desirable Digitalisation: Rethinking AI for Just and Sustainable Futures, a collaboration between the Center for Science and Thought at the University of Bonn and the Leverhulme Centre for the Future of Intelligence at the University of Cambridge, funded by the Stiftung Mercator.

In today’s rapidly evolving world, advanced technologies such as AI are not only transforming economies and governance but also reshaping societal values and human coexistence. While these technologies are already widely discussed within the disciplines of computer science, economics or applied ethics, their development and application concern core issues of the humanities. We want to discuss not only how these technologies should be designed and used, but also how digital technologies influence concepts of humanity or society.

To investigate those questions, our project combines foundational anthropological and philosophical research (subproject 1) with ethical design practice (subproject 2). As a fellow, you will be part of subproject 1, led by Prof. Dr. Markus Gabriel at the University of Bonn.

Who can apply?

We invite scholars from many areas of the humanities to apply, especially from the fields of philosophy, anthropology, cultural and media studies. Applicants must have a PhD and their research should show a clear connection to the overall aim of the Desirable Digitalisation project.

Please send us a short exposé (500-1.000 words) detailing the research you would like to pursue over the course of the fellowship. Research topics could include:

•   Epistemological Perspectives, e.g. How do emerging technologies influence knowledge production, thinking, or art in the digital age?

•  Transcultural Perspectives on Human-Machine Interaction, e.g. How do different ethical and philosophical traditions inform technology development or its regulation?

•   The Societal Impact of AI and Emerging Technologies on Cultures and Politics, e.g. How does digitalisation influence communities and institutions? 

•   Concepts of the Human in the Digital Present and Future(s), e.g. How does digitalisation, especially artificial intelligence challenge previous conceptions of ‘the human’ or ‘reality’? And how do different ideas of ‘the human’ shape different cultures’ views of desirable digitalization?

What do we offer?

The CST is a radically interdisciplinary platform designed to address urgent questions that arise at the intersection of philosophy, technology, and the natural sciences.

We offer an inspiring research atmosphere in an interdisciplinary and international environment and a wide range of possibilities for intellectual exchange with researchers at the CST, the LCFI and the Sustainable AI Lab. During your stay in Bonn, we will provide you with a monthly stipend of 2.670€/month and a fully equipped office. Furthermore, you are cordially invited to participate with the conception of workshops and conferences.

Please send your application for a fellowship including your CV and a project exposé (500-1.000 words) in a PDF file digitally by 31.05.2025 to [email protected].

CONTACT

For more information on our project, please visit www.desirableai.com. If you have any questions or require further information, please contact Christiane Schäfer at [email protected]