Sue Schley
PhD fellow at University of Agder
Sue is a PhD research fellow at the University of Agder, affiliated with the Department of Sociology and Social Work and the Center for Digital Transformation (CeDIT). Her research interests centre on the co-production of sociotechnical futures and how they are shaping present developments in science, society and politics, with a particular focus on artificial intelligence systems. With an interdisciplinary background in Social Sciences, Business Information Systems and Law, she especially draws on theoretical and methodological frameworks from Science and Technology Studies
Tell us about your project!
In my PhD research project, I investigate processes of knowledge (co-) production within political discourse on the European AI regulation. Conceptualisations of artificial intelligence within this discourse represent a fascinating field of tension between heterogeneous, concrete and highly vague assumptions about AI, more convergent and precise visions of the future connected to AI and remarkably imprecise descriptions of the trajectories by which these futures might be reached.
The aim of my research is therefore to understand how valid knowledge about artificial intelligence is produced in this context. Drawing on the sociology of knowledge approach to discourse analysis, I analyse the dynamics between uncertain objects of regulation, matters of concern, future imaginations, and the material dimensions of technology. From that, I examine potential conceptual challenges for theories of technology and social practice.
“Drawing on the sociology of knowledge approach to discourse analysis, I analyse the dynamics between uncertain objects of regulation, matters of concern, future imaginations, and the material dimensions of technology”
— Sue Schley on her PhD project “Does AI matter? Knowledge production within political discourse on the European AI Act and emerging conceptual challenges”