Psychologist for Model Policy Research Operations London, UK

We are seeking a psychologist with a strong general understanding of core psychological principles and the ability to leverage internal and external expertise in AI-related areas (e.g., cognitive, behavioural). A good working knowledge of developmental psychology is particularly important for supporting our work and insights related to children.

About us: Artificial Intelligence could be one of humanity’s most useful inventions. At Google DeepMind, we’re a team of scientists, engineers, machine learning experts and more, working together to advance the state of the art in artificial intelligence. We use our technologies for widespread public benefit and scientific discovery, and collaborate with others on critical challenges, ensuring safety and ethics are the highest priority.

The Team: The Ethics Foresight team proactively identifies, researches, and addresses emerging ethical and safety challenges in AI. Collaborating with internal and external experts, the team develops and refines practical guidelines and policies to ensure Google DeepMind’s technology aligns with our AI Principles. When necessary, the team conducts original research to inform these pioneering guidelines and policies.

The role: As a Psychology Researcher within the Ethics Foresight team, you will be pivotal in ensuring our advanced AI models interact with people, particularly children, in healthy and developmentally appropriate ways, consistent with Google DeepMind’s values. You will use your intellectual agility and deep expertise in psychology to proactively identify and address potential ethical and well-being implications of our AI technologies. This role demands someone capable of quickly grasping and contributing to diverse topics while possessing a strong foundational understanding of psychological principles, especially as they relate to child development and human-computer interaction. While the primary focus is on developing internal guidelines and informing our AI development process, where appropriate opportunities for external publication may arise.

Key responsibilities:

• Child-Centric AI Guidelines: Develop practical guidelines and frameworks to ensure AI models, especially those designed for or interacting with children (e.g., educational AI), are developed and deployed to maximise benefits and minimise potential harms.
• General AI Psychology Guidelines: Develop practical guidelines and frameworks informed by general psychological principles (e.g., cognitive biases, well-being, mental health) and empirical data to ensure that AI models interact in ways that promote positive outcomes and mitigate potential psychological harms.
• Emerging Trends: Stay informed about the latest research and emerging trends in child psychology, developmental science, and the evolving landscape of AI and its potential impact on young people.
• Risk Identification and Analysis: Proactively identify and research potential psychological risks and ethical considerations arising from interactions between advanced AI and children, drawing upon your expertise in child development, attachment theory, social-emotional learning, and related fields.
• Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Work closely with AI researchers, engineers, product managers, across Google DeepMind to integrate psychological insights into the AI development lifecycle.
• Literature Review and Expert Consultation: Conduct thorough reviews of relevant academic literature in psychology, education and technology, human-computer interaction, and AI ethics. Engage with internal and external experts to gather diverse perspectives and inform guideline development.

About you:

• A PhD in Psychology (Clinical, Developmental, Social, Cognitive), Education and Technology, or related fields.
• Significant research experience in one or more of the following areas: child development, adolescent psychology, attachment theory, social-emotional learning, the impact of technology on individuals, or other relevant areas of applied psychology.
• A strong understanding of ethical principles and considerations relevant to psychological research and the application of psychological principles in technology.
• Demonstrated ability to learn quickly and contribute effectively to new and varied subjects outside of core expertise.
• Excellent research, analytical, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to critically evaluate complex information.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex psychological concepts clearly and concisely to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Ability to collaborate effectively within interdisciplinary teams and contribute to a fast-paced environment.
• A proactive and independent approach to identifying and addressing potential challenges and exploring novel research questions.
• Experience with ethical considerations in technology development and familiarity with AI concepts and technologies.
• Experience in applied research settings or translating academic knowledge into practical guidelines or applications.