Ethical Web and Data Architectures Programme

Description

Three decades ago, the World Wide Web was introduced as an open, universal platform, accessible to anyone possessing a computer and modem. Recently, it has strayed considerably from its original principles and is now dominated by platform companies generating substantial profits.

Originally intended to usher in a Digital Enlightenment, what transpired is the extensive collection of personal data, employed for artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) purposes. This data targets advertising and influences content preferences. The individual's personal data becomes a source of value extraction, without long-term control or influence over the use of their data.

As the rest of the world's population gains online access, researchers must construct digital infrastructures that encourage human development, individual autonomy, and self-determination in the emerging digital societies. This will involve redesigning the information architectures of the web and deploying new legal and regulatory systems.

The Ethical Web and Data Architectures Programme’s work revolves around four key areas:

• Data Autonomy: members aim to equip people with control over their data, facilitating personal data management and usage. A novel technical approach compatible with the existing web has been developed, empowering users to manage their data hosting. Moreover, they will advance methods to comprehend and control data flow from utilised apps and devices.
• Data Privacy: members are committed to creating privacy-preserving machine learning (PPML) methods to decentralise AI training, allowing local data processing, thus maintaining user privacy and extracting collective value.
• Algorithmic Accountability: the programme strives to develop means to evaluate the fairness and regulatory compliance of AI or algorithmic decisions, promoting transparency in algorithmic decision-making processes.
• Data Sharing: members intend to investigate new institutional and legal constructs for data or algorithmic outputs holding, including data trusts, mutuals, or cooperatives. These constructs will include defined purpose, legal structure, rights and duties over stewarded data, decision-making processes, and benefits sharing method.

This programme unites researchers from Oxford's Department of Computer Science, Faculties of Law and Philosophy, the Oxford Internet Institute, and the Blavatnik School of Government.

Offers funding

No, this infrastructure does not provide funding.

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University of Oxford
Oxford

University of Oxford
Oxford

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Oxford Internet Institute (OII)

The Oxford Internet Institute (OII) is a multidisciplinary research and teaching department of the University of Oxford, dedicated to studying the social science of the Internet. The Institute was est… read more about Oxford Internet Institute (OII)

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