Uploaded June 2025 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Responsible modelling and the ethics of mathematics for decision support
Mathematical models are used to inform decisions across many sectors including climate change, finance, and epidemics. But models are not perfect representations of the real world – they are partial, uncertain and often biased. What, then, does responsible modelling look like? And how can we apply this ethical framework to new AI modelling methods?
Erica Thompson is Associate Professor of Modelling for Decision Making at UCL’s Department of Science, Technology, Engineering and Public Policy (STEaPP), and the author of 'Escape From Model Land' (2022).
The Oxford Mathematics Public Lectures are generously supported by XTX Markets.
Responsible modelling and the ethics of mathematics for decision support
Mathematical models are used to inform decisions across many sectors including climate change, finance, and epidemics. But models are not perfect representations of the real world – they are partial, uncertain and often biased. What, then, does responsible modelling look like? And how can we apply this ethical framework to new AI modelling methods?
Erica Thompson is Associate Professor of Modelling for Decision Making at UCL’s Department of Science, Technology, Engineering and Public Policy (STEaPP), and the author of 'Escape From Model Land' (2022).
The Oxford Mathematics Public Lectures are generously supported by XTX Markets.
