Toby Jia-Jun Li appointed to lead the Lucy Family Institute's new Human-Centered Responsible AI Lab
Toby Jia-Jun Li, assistant professor of computer science and engineering at the University of Notre Dame, has been appointed the director of the Human-Centered Responsible Artificial Intelligence (HRAI) Lab in the Lucy Family Institute for Data & Society.
In alignment with the University’s strategic framework and the goals of the Institute, the HRAI will design, develop, and deploy artificial intelligence (AI) systems that address key societal topics, including democracy, ethics, health and well-being, and poverty. The lab will draw upon the expertise of interdisciplinary teams of faculty, staff, faculty affiliates, and community partners to produce meaningful research and practical AI tools for broad community benefit.
“The goal of the HRAI is to develop AI systems that responsibly consider the intents, preferences, interests, and values of all stakeholders who will use, or might be impacted, by the new systems,” said Li. “Since AI is already being deployed in every aspect of our lives from education to healthcare, it is important for us to produce tools that can empower people, especially those from underserved communities, to navigate AI systems in ways that contribute positively to society. The Lucy Family Institute is an ideal setting for this new lab to advance human-centered interdisciplinary research in AI and create meaningful societal impact. ”
Li has received support from the National Science Foundation for ongoing projects to address AI inequality in ridesharing platforms and to enhance internet user privacy literacy, which will now be part of HRAI. In 2024, Li contributed to the “Transportation Insecurity and Rideshare " project in South Bend, Indiana, which received a “Lucie” Societal Impact Award. He is also a principal investigator for a 2024 Notre Dame Research Strategic Framework Teaching Grant that incorporates AI writing components into University undergraduate courses in order to develop an ethical knowledge around the writing process without over-reliance on AI and to promote proficiency in human-AI collaboration.
“The Human-Centered Responsible Artificial Intelligence lab is an important new initiative at the Institute that will deepen the University’s investments in responsible AI innovation,” said Nitesh Chawla, the Frank M. Freimann Professor of Computer Science and Engineering and director of the Lucy Family Institute for Data and Society. “As a faculty fellow of the Lucy Family Institute, Toby has made significant contributions in advancing AI capabilities. The new lab aligns with the Institute’s mission to foster AI access to strengthen diverse capacity building and bolsters our commitment to inclusive AI for the common good.”
The HRAI is open to collaborations with campus and community researchers. For questions on how to become involved, please contact Toby Li at toby.j.li@nd.edu.
To learn more about the HRAI lab, please visit the Lucy Family Institute for Data & Society website.
Contact:
Christine Grashorn, Program Director, Engagement and Strategic Storytelling
Lucy Family Institute for Data & Society / University of Notre Dame
cgrashor@nd.edu / 574.631.4856
lucyinstitute.nd.edu / @lucy_institute
About the Lucy Family Institute for Data & Society
Guided by Notre Dame’s Mission, the Lucy Family Institute adventurously collaborates on advancing data-driven and artificial intelligence (AI) convergence research, translational solutions, and education to ethically address society’s vexing problems. As an innovative nexus of academia, industry, and the public, the Institute also fosters data science and AI access to strengthen diverse and inclusive capacity building within communities.
Latest Research
- Fighting for religious libertyNotre Dame Law School stands ready to advocate and defend religious freedom for all people. Read the story
- Wilsey Distinguished Graduate Fellowship: Institute for Ethics and the Common Good program receives endowment gift, new nameThe Institute for Ethics and the Common Good (ECG) has received a generous endowment gift to support its highly competitive fellowship program for graduate students. Thanks to the generosity of Michael and Barbara Wilsey, the program will now be known as the Wilsey…
- ILS Spotlight: Meet Dr. Karen Richman, Director of Undergraduate StudiesArticle written by: Lluvia Gaucin, Summer Intern 2025, Lozano Media and Journalism Fellow Dr. Karen Richman…
- Notre Dame Law students provide critical legal aid through Appalachia ExternshipFor over a decade, Notre Dame Law School students have dedicated their fall and spring breaks to immersing themselves in the rich culture…
- White Group Publishes a New Method to Identify pH-dependent Cell Process PathwaysThis research identifies appropriate pathways to investigate for therapeutic targeting of pHi in cancer and neurodegeneration, opening the door for more effective disease treatment.
- How my passion for food security led me to the World Food Forum in RomeBy Taylor Thigpen After months of emails, obtaining security clearance and filling out paperwork, I officially accepted my invitation to represent the United States at the World Food Forum in Rome, Italy. On October 13th, I boarded…