University of Strathclyde and Beijing Institute of Technology colleagues

Professor Ian Rivers, Associate Principal and Executive Dean of the Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences at the University of Strathclyde, recently delivered a guest lecture at the Beijing Institute of Technology (BIT), contributing to ongoing academic dialogue on artificial intelligence and society.
 
In his lecture, "Who Programmes the Programmer?", the Humanities and Social Sciences in the Age of AI, Professor Rivers explored how technological innovation is shaped by human values, decisions and social contexts. Drawing on observations from human behaviour, social change and the psychology of communities, he highlighted why humanities and social sciences are essential to the development and governance of AI.
 
The lecture also examined the growing gap between technological innovation and regulation, and the vital role of social scientists, ethicists and policy researchers in shaping ethical and responsible futures for AI.

Professor Ian Rivers

Founded in 1940, Beijing Institute of Technology is one of China’s leading research-intensive universities and is recognised as part of the country’s prestigious “Double First-Class” initiative for higher education. Originally established in Yan’an before relocating to Beijing in 1949, the institution has developed a strong international reputation in engineering, technology and applied sciences, while also expanding into disciplines including management, humanities and social sciences.

Today, BIT is consistently ranked among the top universities in China, with particular strengths in areas such as aerospace engineering, information technology, automation and advanced manufacturing.