Students

Leila Methnani is a second year PhD student working on topics related to eXplainable AI (XAI), mixed initiatives, and games AI. Her ongoing work includes a novel XAI technique for time-series data by using counterfactual explanations and an argumentation system for selecting explanations. Methnani co-organised the recent workshop on “Ethics of Game AI”.

She completed her MSc studies at Umeå University. Her MSc thesis was awarded the Swedish AI Society “Best AI Master’s Thesis Award” in 2023. Prior to her postgraduate studies, Methnani worked at IBM Dubai and completed a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science at the University of British Columbia. You can find more about Methnani by visiting her profile.

Jack McKinlay is a PhD student in ART-AI at the University of Bath. His research focuses on understanding and improving the value-alignment process, in order to better empower humans working with AI. McKinley looks into developing assessing alignment between humans and autonomous agents using logical reasoning over knowledge maps. His multidisciplinary work combines fields such as argumentation and bayesian reasoning, psychology, and participatory designs.

Outside his research, he is a designated Science Communication Ambassador for his department. In this role, McKinlay frequently participates in public dissemination of research as he strives to promote an informed discourse on the transformative power of technology. Prior to his doctoral endavours, McKinlay spent 5 years in the industry, taking data science and development roles in Raytheon UK and Lloyds Banking Group. McKinlay holds a MS in Advance Mathematics with Distinction from the University of Bath.