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Meet Our Students: Celebrating Success Stories – Firuza Huseynova

At Western University, we take pride in the remarkable journeys and achievements of our students, who constantly push boundaries and pursue excellence. In this edition of "Meet Our Students: Celebrating Success Stories," we spotlight Firuza Huseynova, a recent graduate with dual honours degrees in Politics, Philosophy, and Economics (PPE) and business. Firuza’s passion for technology ethics and AI safety has driven her to explore groundbreaking research and take part in prestigious global programs.

Huseynova’s journey into the world of technology ethics began during her time at Western University. A pivotal moment in her academic path occurred when she enrolled in a normative ethics class led by Dr. Anthony Skelton from the Philosophy department. This course sparked her deep interest in exploring the ethical dimensions of technology, particularly data privacy, automation bias, and digital copyright law. The excitement and curiosity that emerged from this class led Huseynova to further delve into the evolving landscape of AI safety and ethics.

Her dedication to expanding her knowledge didn’t stop at her academic courses. Huseynova sought opportunities beyond the classroom to further enrich her research. One such opportunity came through the D2H-AI summer school program at the University of Trento in Italy, a recommendation made by her faculty supervisor, Dr. Rory McGee. This program, which perfectly aligned with her thesis on human-AI augmentation, opened new doors for Huseynova to explore global perspectives on AI and its implications.

The summer school program in Italy brought together 20 students from around the world, including fellow Western University PhD candidate Meaghan Furlano. Over the course of two weeks, Huseynova engaged with interdisciplinary approaches to artificial intelligence, hearing from experts across fields like sociology, computer science, and digital design. The program’s diverse perspectives enriched her understanding of technology ethics and provided valuable resources for developing her ideas further.

Reflecting on her experience, Huseynova shared her excitement about the variety of viewpoints she encountered. “I was surprised at how many interdisciplinary perspectives could be applied to learning about artificial intelligence,” she said. This opportunity not only expanded her academic knowledge but also shaped her vision for the future of AI ethics.

For students who may be interested in artificial intelligence and its societal impact, Huseynova offers encouraging advice: “Apply for this program even if you’re just a little bit interested in AI and its impact on society! With the rise of AI-driven technologies, these courses will only become more and more relevant down the line.”

Firuza Huseynova’s story is a testament to the power of curiosity, the pursuit of knowledge, and the endless opportunities that Western University offers its students to grow and succeed.