The Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) in AI for Digital Media Inclusion combines the world-leading expertise of the Surrey Institute for People-Centred AI at the University of Surrey, a pioneer in AI technologies for the creative industries (vision, audio, language) and StoryFutures at Royal Holloway University London, leader in creative production and audience experience (arts, psychology, design).
Digital media inclusion is essential for equality across society
Our vision is to deliver unique cross-disciplinary training embedded in real-world challenges and creative practice, and to address the industry need for people with responsible AI, inclusive design and creative skills.
The CDT is funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) as part of the government’s strategy to ensure the country has the top global expertise and fosters the next generation of researchers needed to seize the transformational benefits of AI technology.
What makes our training programme unique?
The CDT will train a new generation of over 80 industry-ready PhDs to lead the transformation to responsible AI-enabled inclusive media. This will forge a ground-breaking challenge-led model, co-designed and co-delivered with creative industry and end-user partners to remove significant real-world barriers to media inclusion.
Working in multi-disciplinary cohort teams, we aim to develop comprehensive multi-faceted AI solutions combining creative, technical, behavioural, linguistic, social and legal expertise, designed with inclusion for all at their heart.
Our partnership with the creative industry
Creating digital media content and services that are inclusive for all is essential for societal equality and a business necessity to increase engagement for diverse audiences.
Our challenge-led training will foster a responsible creative AI ecosystem partnering with 50+ organisations ranging from big-tech corporations to creative SMEs and user organisations to address real-world inclusive media challenges and realise the impact on society and the UK economy. Our inaugural industry partners include:
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Access Entertainment Activate Learning Ada Lovelace Anagram Atos Bang & Olufsen BBC Blesma British Screen Forum Creative UK Darkfield Digital Catapult Disguise Dock10 M3 LEP English Heritage Figment Final Pixel |
Gideon Reeling iLife Media ISO Design Lord David Puttnam MKAI NetMC Netmind.ai Nexus Studios NVIDIA Open Inclusion Samsung Sir Peter Bazalgette Sony Europe Surrey Heartlands ICS Surround Vision Synthesia Target3D Tetralogical |
Marshmallow Laser Feast TechUK Surrey County Council Ofcom IBM Blessed Foundation Pact NFTS AudioScenic Aspierations Arwen Osborne Clarke Orbit RRI Open Education AI Channel 4 Framestore Ukie. |
Registration for October 2024 entry has now closed. For details about October 2025 entry please check back later in the year.
For more information, please contact: storyfutures@rhul.ac.uk
