I'm an AI policy lead at the UK Ministry of Justice, where I work on how artificial intelligence is governed and used responsibly across the justice system. I began my career as a prison officer, and that frontline experience constantly reminds me that technology is something that affects real people in real conditions.
My Fellowship explores how AI can be used, ethically and safely, to support the people in criminal justice settings. This includes mental health in prisons, as the need is significant and I can see AI is already transforming mental health support in the community. I'll travel to Australia, the USA and Finland to learn from the few places that are trying things, and help develop an internationally backed framework for deploying AI safely in some of the most challenging and vulnerable contexts.
What drives me is a conviction that the people it is easy to overlook are exactly the ones who should benefit from technology that can extend and enhance, but not replace, genuine care.