Artificial Intelligence is fundamentally changing how governments communicate, make decisions and maintain public confidence. This research aims to create a Public Trust Infrastructure (PTI), along with an Electoral Trust Infrastructure (ETI) as the first implementation. This represents a strategic opportunity to create a new GovTech category combining research, standards, intellectual property and commercial platforms. It involves the integration of digital trust into every element of the election process, and where fake entities within elections can be identified.

Key elements of the research include:

• Creation of a privacy-preserving trusted AI infrastructure for elections.
• Definition and detection of fake entities within an election.
• Integration of cryptography for privacy and trust.
• Integration of agentic AI – with privacy preservation - in the detection of fake elements and to verify entities.
• Large-scale simulation of an election with the integration of fake elements and entities.

The PhD position is available to UK and International applications and comes with a full stipend and covers all the PhD fees.

Essential attributes:

• Strong analytical and programming skills.
• A good Bachelor’s Hons degree (2.1 or above or international equivalent) and/or Master’s degree in a relevant subject (computer science, mathematics, economics, physics, engineering, or related subject).
• Proficiency in English (both oral and written).
• Strong motivation, with evidence of independent research skills relevant to the project.

Desirable attributes:

• Good mathematical skills.
• Knowledge of cryptography fundamentals and their application.

Project start date - looking to commence Mar 2027

Artificial Intelligence is fundamentally changing how governments communicate, make decisions and maintain public confidence. This research aims to create a Public Trust Infrastructure (PTI), along with an Electoral Trust Infrastructure (ETI) as the first implementation. This represents a strategic opportunity to create a new GovTech category combining research, standards, intellectual property and commercial platforms. It involves the integration of digital trust into every element of the election process, and where fake entities within elections can be identified.

Key elements of the research include:

• Creation of a privacy-preserving trusted AI infrastructure for elections.
• Definition and detection of fake entities within an election.
• Integration of cryptography for privacy and trust.
• Integration of agentic AI – with privacy preservation - in the detection of fake elements and to verify entities.
• Large-scale simulation of an election with the integration of fake elements and entities.

The PhD position is available to UK and International applications and comes with a full stipend and covers all the PhD fees.

Essential attributes:

• Strong analytical and programming skills.
• A good Bachelor’s Hons degree (2.1 or above or international equivalent) and/or Master’s degree in a relevant subject (computer science, mathematics, economics, physics, engineering, or related subject).
• Proficiency in English (both oral and written).
• Strong motivation, with evidence of independent research skills relevant to the project.

Desirable attributes:

• Good mathematical skills.
• Knowledge of cryptography fundamentals and their application.

Project start date - looking to commence Mar 2027