He/Him
What expertise will you bring to AI?
I hold a BA (Hons) in Graphic Arts from the Winchester School of Art, University of Southampton and an MA in Design Informatics from the Institute for Design Informatics, University of Edinburgh. Therefore, my diverse academic background lies at the intersection of visual art, interaction design, and human-computer interaction.
Now, I work as a Research Assistant in Human-Data Interaction at the School of Electronics and Computer Science, University of Southampton, contributing to the interdisciplinary project on privacy interfaces, playful design and computation. I am also an external researcher in the "Creativity, AI, and the Human" cluster at the Edinburgh Futures Institute, the University of Edinburgh. These experiences have equipped me with a strong understanding of how creativity can bridge human experience and digital technologies, enabling me to bring a critical, imaginative and human-centred perspective to the development and evaluation of future AI systems.
More information and updates, please check https://www.xixiangnielab.com/
Research Interests
I am particularly interested in how urban AI influences citizen experience. My research focuses on rethinking and foregrounding the entanglement and relationship between people, data, and cities through the lens of design and human-computer interaction. The current data-driven city, with its urban technology system, operates under a top-down, efficiency-oriented model. Building on the concept of the 'Senseable City', I aim to design and examine how to enhance the urban AI system to be more understandable, transparent, and trustworthy. I will explore ways to translate complex data and algorithmic processes into experiential and tangible forms that invite reflection and dialogue. The findings of my project are expected to foster citizens' data agency and collective participation, enabling them to play an active role in shaping the future of urban intelligence. I seek to contribute to a vision of Citizen-Centred AI, where future urban AI is not only 'smart' but also socially and ethically grounded.
What made you want to apply for CCAI?
As a student who doesn't have a technical background, I applied to the CCAI CDT because of its inclusive vision. AI is often seen as a strictly scientific field, but who knows how artistic sensibility might shape its future? Its mission also aligns with my ambition to place people at the heart of AI, not technology.
What excites me most about the CDT is the opportunity to work within a rich, multidisciplinary cohort and learn, support each other, which is quite different from traditional PhD programs. I could also engage in real-world placements in industry and community settings, which will offer me the opportunity to test my research in practice and understand how citizen-centred principles can inform the development of AI systems beyond academia. These will deepen my industry-related expertise, also put me in the real challenges and social impacts of AI.
What are your ambitions for AI? How do you plan to change the world?
I aim to make AI more accountable, transparent, and connected to everyday life. My ambition is to design next-generation systems that empower people to engage with data and influence how AI shapes their environments. Through creative and participatory approaches, I hope to build a future where AI serves citizens, not just government and technology companies, one that amplifies collective intelligence, strengthens democracy, and ensures technology contributes to a more just world.
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