Maureen Mwadime - PhD Researcher

Maureen M. Mwadime

She/Her

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What expertise will you bring to AI?

As a Cohort II PhD Researcher with the CCAI-CDT, I bring a rights-driven perspective to citizen-centred artificial intelligence.  

My eight-year professional journey spans across forced migration, health, privacy, data protection and digital governance. Recognized by the Law Society of Kenya for advancing ethical innovation, I advocate for digital systems designed around equity, transparency and citizen agency.  

At Kenya’s National Human Rights Institution, I was the technology and human rights lead which later contributed to pivotal national reforms, including the enactment of the Data Protection Act - a cornerstone for digital rights in Kenya. Between 2021 and 2023, alongside other roles, I served as a Digital Responsibility Advisor for the Tech for Democracy Advisory Group, coordinated by Global Focus and the Danish Government, where I co-drafted the Copenhagen Pledge on Tech for Democracy - a global commitment to ethical and responsible technology ecosystems signed by over two hundred organizations, companies, and governments in different jurisdictions. 

At CCAI, I seek to build bridges between governance, ethics and emerging technologies - developing citizen-centric policy frameworks that put the people at the centre of innovation.

Research Interests 

My research focuses on eXplainable Artificial Intelligence (XAI), with a particular emphasis on healthcare systems and citizen agency. I examine how explainability can bridge the gap between complex AI systems and the communities they serve-building transparency, trust, and accountability. I am especially interested in how XAI in healthcare intersects with ethical principles of equity, inclusivity and transparency, particularly in the Global South, where technology often amplifies existing inequalities. By analysing the law and socio-technological designs, my work seeks to reimagine AI models that are both citizen-centred and thus ethically grounded.

What made you want to apply for CCAI?

I applied to CCAI because it reflects my values - ethical, inclusive and citizen-centred innovations. Its interdisciplinary approach creates a dynamic space to challenge assumptions and collaboratively shape meaningful holistic change. I’m also excited by the CDT’s emphasis on participatory design, real-world placements and civic engagement. CCAI provides the ideal platform to translate my advocacy experience into academic inquiry, especially around AI in healthcare. For me, it’s more than a PhD - it’s a chance to shape technology that empowers communities, especially the most vulnerable among us who are always left behind.

What are your ambitions for AI? How do you plan to change the world?  

My goal is to build bridges between multi-sectoral entities and the people, creating accessible platforms for dialogue, education and co-design. By focusing on lived experiences and ethical foresight, I aim to ensure AI frameworks and systems evolve to serve the public good and reflect the values of those they impact most.