Abdullah Safir
ai ethics, critical design and social justice | how to (re)imagine AI from the majority world?
Abdullah Safir
ai ethics, critical design and social justice | how to (re)imagine AI from the majority world?
I am an AI ethics and critical design researcher interested in developing responsible, inclusive AI systems that respond to the Majority World/ Global South contexts. My academic works have found homes in Computer Science venues including but not limited to ACM FAccT and AAAI AIES and at the same time in journals such as Big Data and Society. I am currently a PhD candidate in Interdisciplinary (AI) Design at the University of Cambridge. I am a member of Cambridge Collective Intelligence and Design (CamCID) Group (led by Dr Ramit Debnath) and Critical Design Studio, Computer Lab (led by Professor Alan Blackwell). Beyond my PhD research, I serve as an early career community committee member at the Centre for Human Inspired AI (CHIA) and contribute to a AI@Cam project around ethically rooted AI for public value. I also hold an honorary position of Senior Fellow in Majority World AI at the Tech Global Institute.
I am a Gates Cambridge Scholar (2024), Trinity Hall research scholar (2023), and Commonwealth scholar (2021). I finished my MPhil at the Leverhulme Centre for Future of Intelligence (LCFI), University of Cambridge and worked as a Research Assistant at the same centre after completing my Masters at the Centre for Interdisciplinary Methodologies (CIM), University of Warwick — all focusing on understanding the hurdles to ensure diversity and plurality in AI. Previously, I worked as a researcher at BIGD, BRAC University and co-developed an inclusive Digital Strategy Primer for Bangladesh by collaborating with the country's government and the Digital Pathways initiative, University of Oxford. Through my current research, I call for more inclusive and human-centred AI design, development and policies to reduce AI's colonial harms, particularly in the Global South.
Preferred name: Safir| he/him | CV | Google Scholar | LinkedIn | Email: sa2168@cam.ac.uk
Recent news/ updates
December 2025: Commentary in response to UN OHCHR’s study on AI and Cultural Rights is published by AI & Equality. [Link]
November 2025: Presented research in Trinity Hall's 675th birthday party at Barbican [Link]
November 2025: Joined as Senior Fellow in Majority World AI at the Tech Global Institute. 🎉
November 2025: BritCHI paper is now out! The exhibition took place in Cardiff, Wales. [Link]
October 2025: AIES 2025 Paper is now live! [Link]
October 2025: Guest Lecture at AI Ethics + HAI Seminar, CS department at Colorado Mines.
October 2025: Guest Speaker at Centre for Better Futures Programme at Cambridge [Link]
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