AI Policy Lead

• Role: AI Policy Lead (AICC)

  Department: Ulster University Faculty of Computing, Engineering & the Built Environment

  Grade: 8

  Responsible to: Head of AI and Digital Ethics Policy

  Campus: Ulster University Belfast or Derry~Londonderry campus

  (Full-Time, Fixed term to 31st August 2029)

  Closing Date: 24th February 2026 at 23:30

   

  Background and Context for the Role

  Evidence suggests that increased use of Artificial Intelligence can bring major economic and social benefits to businesses across all industry sectors. It offers the ability to improve their efficiency and performance, be that from improving or scaling existing processes; from reduced costs; or more accurate decision making through better use of data. Key factors that have been proven to increase the capability of AI in recent years include the existence of and access to new and larger volumes of safe and reliable data; the supply of experts with the specific high-level skills; and the availability of increasingly powerful computing capacity. In addition, AI presents the opportunity to develop new products and services that would not previously have been possible without AI.

  The Artificial Intelligence Collaboration Centre (AICC) represents a £16.3 million investment by Invest Northern Ireland (INI) and the Department for the Economy (DfE) for a 5-year pilot project to increase business awareness and adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology in a way that boosts competitiveness and productivity and positions Northern Ireland as a leader on the national and global AI stage. Establishment of the AICC supports greater industrial innovation and collaboration with academia to increase both local and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).

  The AICC is being led by Ulster University (UU) in partnership with Queen’s University Belfast (QUB) with bases at the UU Belfast and Derry/Londonderry campuses and at QUB. The provision of certified training and professional qualifications in AI will also be delivered through both Universities.

  The operations of the AICC are directed and governed by a Governance Board which will be further supported by an Innovation/ Technical Advisory Group, both of which have strong industry representation.

  AICC is currently recruiting a team of dedicated staff to optimise the use of AI in Northern Ireland businesses across the following four pillars:

  • Talent Pipeline and Future Workforce;
  • Industry Support and Innovation Services
  • Community and Collaboration; and
  • Data Accessibility, Governance and Ethics.

   

  Job Purpose

  The postholder will be a full-time, dedicated AI Policy Lead for the Artificial Intelligence Collaboration Centre (AICC), a collaboration between Ulster University (UU) and Queen’s University Belfast (QUB). The postholder will be part of a dynamic team with responsibility to guide the AICC in the ethical development and use of artificial intelligence. This includes advising on ethical issues in AI design, implementation, and use, creating guidelines and policies, promoting responsible AI usage in alignment with industry standards.

  Our ideal candidate has an in-depth understanding of AI technology, and a strong foundation in ethics, governance and regulatory guidelines. They should be capable of identifying potential ethical, legal, and societal impacts of AI applications, and devising as well as advocating policies and strategies to address them. Ultimately, the postholder will play a crucial role in navigating the ethical complexities of AI, ensuring transparency, fairness, privacy, and accountability in AI systems, and building business and public trust in AI technologies and the AICC. The role requires someone who can consider and analyse the short, medium, and long term implications and impact on the NI economy, society and technology sector of policy and industry development in AI and digital ethics and bring their energy to develop AICC’s overall narrative, messaging and policy recommendations.

   

  Main Duties

  1. Guide the development of AI technologies within ethical, governance, and regulatory boundaries.
  2. Develop and implement comprehensive AI ethics guidelines, policies, and governance frameworks, including standards, procedures, and best practices.
  3. Provide advice on ethical, legal, and societal considerations related to AICC AI projects and initiatives.
  4. Review and assess AI systems for potential ethical, legal, and societal implications, including bias, discrimination, transparency, accountability, and privacy concerns.
  5. Conduct risk assessments to identify ethical, legal, and reputational risks associated with AI use, and advise on mitigation strategies.
  6. Collaborate with AI developers, data scientists, engineers, product teams, and other stakeholders to integrate ethical and governance principles into AI design, development, and deployment.
  7. Work closely with the AICC Governance Board and the AICC Technical Advisory Board to deliver the AICC Ethical Plan and support its ongoing implementation.
  8. Deliver training and education initiatives, including workshops, to raise awareness of AI ethics and governance across AICC staff and external stakeholders.
  9. Collaborate with legal, compliance, and policy teams to ensure alignment with relevant laws, standards, and regulatory requirements.
  10. Stay abreast of emerging trends, technologies, legal developments, and regulatory changes in AI ethics and governance.
  11. Act as a liaison between the AICC and external stakeholders, including regulators, industry groups, and partners, on matters related to AI ethics and governance.
  12. Communicate complex AI governance, regulatory, and ethical issues clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences, including senior stakeholders.
  13. Monitor, audit, and report on compliance with AICC AI ethics and governance policies, standards, and procedures.
  14. Develop and implement metrics and KPIs to track the effectiveness of AI ethics and governance initiatives.
  15. Engage in research and horizon scanning to understand the ethical implications of emerging AI technologies.
  16. Handle AI-related ethical issues, questions, and concerns raised by AICC staff and external stakeholders.
  17. Work collaboratively to identify ethical risks in AI projects and propose practical mitigations.
  18. Travel regionally, nationally, and internationally in connection with the needs of the role.
  19. Carry out any other duties appropriate to the grade and nature of the post.