The AI Metascience Fellowship Programme will fund researchers exploring AI’s potential to transform how science is conducted, accelerate discoveries, and address key ethical and societal challenges
The £4 million program is designed to support studies into how AI influences research practices, focusing on improving the efficiency and effectiveness of scientific discovery.
By understanding how AI can be used to enhance research, the program will help to drive breakthroughs more quickly, maximise impact, and fuel economic growth. This effort aligns with the UK government’s Plan for Change, which hopes to use technology to boost innovation and progress across various sectors.
The fellowship will cover a range of key issues, including AI’s role in reshaping how scientists work daily, the ethical concerns surrounding AI in research, and its effects on employment and funding priorities in research.
For example, as AI tools like machine learning and deep learning become essential to research practices, concerns about bias in algorithms and the transparency of AI-generated findings are arising as critical points of focus. The program will also explore how AI might change the structure of scientific research, including the potential for shifts in jobs and skill sets among researchers.
AI applications in the scientific world
AI already has a strong impact on the scientific world, for example, DeepMind’s AlphaFold, which has accelerated drug discovery by predicting protein structures, and AI-powered robotic systems that automate complex experiments. Machine learning also changes how scientists process and analyse big amounts of data, simplifying workflows and enabling faster insights.
Alongside the fellowship, a collaboration with the US-based Alfred P. Sloan Foundation will bring together a transatlantic cohort of fellows from both the UK and the US. This initiative will promote knowledge exchange and foster international collaboration on the intersection of AI and science. Fellows will have the opportunity to attend a fully funded summer school to share ideas, discuss challenges, and build a deeper understanding of the global implications of AI in research.
The programme also encourages applications focused on the impact of AI on the speed of scientific progress. It is particularly interested in projects that explore how AI can support researchers by handling mundane tasks, allowing them more time to focus on innovative and creative aspects of their work. Researchers are also encouraged to investigate the potential of AI to improve transparency, trust, and reliability in scientific findings.
Improving future science research
The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) have also awarded £4.8 million in funding to 23 new projects that aim to address other challenges in scientific research. These include improving research integrity, exploring new models for research funding and publishing, and assessing AI’s role in shaping the future of science.
One of the main projects funded through this initiative is based at the University of Sheffield, where researchers will assess whether large language models, like ChatGPT, can reliably review academic work and contribute to the UK’s Research Excellence Framework and peer review processes. Another project, led by the University of Bath, will work with Sage Publishing and the Royal Society to test a two-stage peer review process designed to enhance trust in academic findings.
The University College London (UCL) is also partnering with Google DeepMind and the UN Development Programme (UNDP) to explore how AI-driven research can address global challenges such as sustainability and healthcare. These projects reflect the growing recognition that AI can play a crucial role in tackling some of the world’s most pressing issues.
