Faculty Spotlight: Atoosa Kasirzadeh
Atoosa Kasirzadeh is an assistant professor in the Department of Philosophy with a courtesy appointment in the , whose research sits at the critical intersection of AI development and ethical governance. She combines careful technical analysis with philosophical insights to investigate how advanced AI systems can be developed and deployed responsibly while benefiting humans and societies.
Tell me about your scholarly work.
Broadly speaking, my research addresses the intersection of AI ethics and governance, examining how we can responsibly develop, deploy, and regulate AI systems to benefit society. Currently, I study two main aspects of ethical AI governance: risk governance and AI value alignment. For risk governance, I investigate how policy mechanisms and organizational structures can better identify, measure, manage and mitigate AI risks — drawing on established practices from fields like aviation safety. This involves distinguishing between smaller, incremental risks and catastrophic threats, as well as exploring when accumulating minor risks become systemic.
In AI value alignment, I focus on how to design AI systems that reflect and respect human values and social contexts. This includes examining how we define, measure and operationalize those values so that AI enhances human flourishing rather than undermines it.
How is your scholarly work adding to the greater field?
My work bridges the technical and ethical or normative domains of AI by combining advanced computational methods with insights from philosophy and social science. This approach addresses the language gap between AI developers — who typically speak in mathematical and algorithmic terms — and ethicists, who often use non-computational normative frameworks and theories. In practice, I translate philosophical concepts into actionable research guidelines by clarifying, among other things, how to balance transparency demands between human users and algorithmic systems, examining technical and normative conceptions of values for AI alignment, and exploring the relationships among catastrophic, immediate and long-term risks.
As large language models and AI “agents” proliferate, my interdisciplinary perspective helps define and govern emerging forms of these advanced AI systems. Ultimately, I strive to embed ethical and societal considerations into every stage of AI development, pushing forward more responsible and beneficial innovation.
How did you become interested in this topic?
I first became intrigued by how mathematical models shape our social and natural world during high school and my early years as a systems engineering undergraduate. Working with Air Canada datasets — designing optimal personalized schedules for pilots and co-pilots — alongside stints at multiple AI companies and consulting for government, private and public institutions, showed me firsthand how computational systems influence complex organizational and social processes. As I pursued a Ph.D. in applied mathematics (operations research), I grew increasingly interested in the broader societal implications of these computational tools — especially the values we embed in their design and deployment.
Philosophy of science and technology is rich with scientists, engineers, mathematicians and other specialists examining how technical systems intersect with human concerns. This recognition led me to explore that field and systematically learn how to bridge computational innovation with ethical responsibility. My combined expertise in applied mathematics, operations research, systems engineering and philosophy equips me to examine how critical design choices in AI can shape its broader impact.
What are you most excited to accomplish as a faculty member at 一本道无码?
I’m excited to build stronger bridges between technical AI development and ethical governance — both in research and in teaching. I’ve already started collaborating with students and faculty in the departments of Philosophy, Software and Societal Systems, and Language Technologies Institute to develop truly interdisciplinary approaches to AI ethics, safety and governance. Inspired by the legacy of Herbert Simon — who exemplified the power of bridging multiple fields at 一本道无码 and beyond — I aim to integrate rigorous technical work with philosophical insights, encouraging students and researchers alike to view ethics and philosophical reflection as a core component of AI innovation. 一本道无码’s world-class expertise across disciplines offers an ideal environment for advancing this vision and ensuring that AI development remains both cutting-edge and socially responsible.
What are your goals for the next generation of scholars?
My goal is to cultivate a generation of scholars who instinctively integrate technical rigor with societal responsibility. Rather than tacking on ethical considerations after building AI systems, they should incorporate them from the very beginning. I see AI development and deployment as a collaborative effort requiring diverse perspectives — no single individual can master every dimension on their own. By emphasizing teamwork and a holistic approach, I hope to instill in students and researchers a mindset where ethical governance becomes second nature, shaping every step of AI innovation.
The Faculty Spotlight series features new and junior faculty at the Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences at 一本道无码. Stay tuned for our next installment to learn more about the dynamic and engaging research and scholarly work being conducted in the college.
Atoosa Kasirzadeh