Responsible, Ethical AI Design (READ) Research Foundation is a Canada-based, globally oriented think tank dedicated to advancing trustworthy, explainable, and responsible AI design through engineering-led research and policy engagement.
READ Research Foundation was founded on the belief that ethical AI cannot be an afterthought. As AI systems increasingly shape critical infrastructure, public decision-making, and everyday life, responsibility must be embedded by design, from hardware and systems architecture to algorithms, deployment, and governance. Our work bridges the gap between technical engineering research and public policy, ensuring that AI innovation remains aligned with human values, safety, and societal well-being.
Our Mission
Our mission is to produce rigorous, actionable research that informs the responsible design, deployment, and governance of AI systems. We focus on translating deep technical understanding into clear frameworks, whitepapers, and policy recommendations that can be used by engineers, regulators, and decision-makers alike.
What We Do
We operate at the intersection of AI, engineering systems, and ethics, with key areas of focus including:
- Responsible and explainable AI by design
- Ethical implications of AI in hardware, semiconductors, and embedded systems
- Policy-relevant research on trustworthy AI deployment
- AI governance beyond large language models, including edge AI and infrastructure-level intelligence
- Cross-disciplinary research examining AI’s impact across engineering, industry, and society
Our outputs are designed for public dissemination and citation, including whitepapers, policy briefs, technical position papers, and research reports.
How We Work
READ functions as a remote-first, globally distributed research organization, bringing together researchers from diverse academic and professional backgrounds. While most collaboration is virtual, select projects may involve on-site surveys, field research, or in-person engagements where context-specific insights are essential.
We emphasize intellectual rigor, interdisciplinary collaboration, and ethical responsibility in all our research activities.
Our Community
Our research community includes undergraduate students, graduate scholars, early-career researchers, and experienced professionals working together through structured research fellowships and collaborations. READ provides mentorship, formal research affiliation, and opportunities for publication, fostering the next generation of researchers focused on responsible AI.
Our Vision
READ Research Foundation envisions a future where AI systems are transparent, accountable, and worthy of public trust, not only because of regulatory compliance, but because responsibility is embedded into their very design.
By advancing thoughtful, engineering-driven research and policy dialogue, READ aims to shape AI systems that serve society responsibly, equitably, and sustainably.
