The British Academy is collaborating with Mike Hudson Foundation to provide an AI chatbot service on our website. Knowbot is a smart AI tool for nonprofits that reads the British Academy’s website and answers questions about our research funding schemes.
Knowbot answers questions by only reading the British Academy’s website. By focusing only on information that we provide directly, Knowbot is able to be more detailed and more accurate than most AI.
We are trialling Knowbot on our Mid-Career Fellowships scheme. The aim is to offer quicker, more accessible support for applicants regarding common queries.
Knowbot is designed to complement our existing support, not replace the ability to communicate with our team. It can guide users to relevant information on our website and provide faster responses to routine questions.
Why the British Academy is trialling Knowbot
As demand for our funding schemes continues to grow, we are exploring new ways to improve user experience and ensure applicants can access clear, timely information.
It is intended that Knowbot will help us assess whether automated support tools can be helpful to our research community.
Ethical considerations
We understand that AI tools raise important ethical questions, especially in academic contexts. We take these concerns seriously.
This is a limited and carefully considered trial. Knowbot does not make decisions, store personal data, or replace human engagement. It exists solely to provide guidance and improve access to information.
We are committed to reviewing the chatbot’s performance and value, including any ethical implications, and will take feedback into account as we evaluate next steps.
Share your feedback
This is a pilot, and your experience matters. If you’ve used Knowbot, we’d be grateful for your thoughts on whether it was helpful, or how it could be improved.
You can give feedback on Knowbot via [email protected]