Centre for Philosophy and AI Research {PAIR}

The Centre for Philosophy and AI Research {PAIR} was established in 2022 through funding from an Alexander von Humboldt Professorship awarded to Prof. Vincent C. Müller at the Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU, founded in 1742).

We expect AI to be a major transformative power for human society, but also for philosophy itself. The questions the team at PAIR works on concern the philosophical theory of what AI is and could be, and the ethical theory of what it should be.

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Research and Collaboration

Our research involves philosophy of mind, philosophy of science, epistemology, normative ethics, meta-ethics, and political and cultural philosophy. We seek to advance both intellectual understanding and societal impact, developing a positive vision for the role of AI in society and for philosophy.

The team at PAIR is part of a global network of collaborations with leading centres working at the intersection of philosophy and AI, especially applied ethics. These collaborations include visiting fellows, workshops and conferences, invited speakers, joint publications, and shared research initiatives. We work closely with colleagues in artificial intelligence, cognitive science, and the social sciences to understand the fundamental problems.

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Academic Environment

We provide a stimulating and supportive research environment in modern offices located in the centre of Erlangen.

PAIR brings together a team of around a dozen researchers, including both pre-doctoral and post-doctoral scholars, along with administrators and visiting fellows. We work together as a team, and each of us develops in the team.

The centre shares a building with departments in artificial intelligence, data science, medical informatics, and digital humanities and social sciences, encouraging interdisciplinary exchange. The working language at PAIR is English.

Interested in joining the team? Please explore current opportunities for collaboration.

How to join PAIR