Minister for Science, Innovation, and Research visits LSE

This week, Lord Patrick Vallance, the Minister for Science, Innovation, Research and Nuclear visited the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). The Minister met with LSE President Larry Kramer and senior leadership to learn about the School’s research on AI and emerging technologies.

Professors Helen Margetts and Cosmina Dorobantu shared LSE’s vision for a Global Institute for Technology and Society with the Minister, emphasising the key role which social sciences must play in AI advancement. They explained how social science insight can help realise the benefits that Government anticipates for AI, such as productivity gains, economic growth, and better public services. Professor Tim Besley outlined the research underway at LSE on how to redesign our economic systems for the age of AI.

The Minister also visited LSE’s Data Science Institute, where he met with PhD students whose research ranges from using game theory to understand convergence and competition in learning agents, and applying large-language models to spot warning signals in large-scale complaints data, to studying the legal mechanisms that minimise risks for retail investors using robo-advisors.

Commenting on the visit, Professor Helen Margetts, Senior Advisor to the Data Science Institute said: “It was brilliant to have the Minister at LSE and to share with him the School’s research and ambition to create a world-leading Institute for technology and society.

We also reiterated our commitment to help Government achieve its AI ambitions by doing what LSE does best: conducting authoritative research that ensures that powerful technologies drive economic growth and social progress.”