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Community

Community Partnerships

Community Partnerships

Advancing responsible AI systems through
human-centered research that serves the common good of humanity and the environment

Advancing responsible AI systems through
human-centered research that serves the common good of humanity and the environment

Guiding Research Questions

How can we equitably design and evaluate human-centered AI/ML systems, particularly natural language technologies, to ensure they are fair, culturally competent, and reflective of the values and needs of all people—especially disproportionately affected users, while addressing the technical, ethical, and societal challenges inherent in AI/ML technologies?

Guiding Research Questions

How can we equitably design and evaluate human-centered AI/ML systems, particularly natural language technologies, to ensure they are fair, culturally competent, and reflective of the values and needs of all people—especially disproportionately affected users, while addressing the technical, ethical, and societal challenges inherent in AI/ML technologies?

Guiding Research Questions

How can we equitably design and evaluate human-centered AI/ML systems, particularly natural language technologies, to ensure they are fair, culturally competent, and reflective of the values and needs of all people—especially disproportionately affected users, while addressing the technical, ethical, and societal challenges inherent in AI/ML technologies?

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Our Mission

Consistent growth, boundless potential

Consistent growth, boundless potential

Our research is grounded in authentic partnerships with communities underserved by technology. We don't just study communities—we learn from them, partner with them, and ensure they lead in defining what responsible AI means.

15+

Community Partners

5

Countries Engaged

100%

Community Benefit Focus

3

Policy Influences

CAB

Community Advisory Board Models

Community Advisory Board Models

RAISE Lab cultivates an environment where academic excellence meets public interest and community accountability.

We believe that the best research emerges from diverse perspectives, authentic collaboration, and a shared commitment to justice.

RAISE Lab cultivates an environment where academic excellence meets community accountability. We believe that the best research emerges from diverse perspectives, authentic collaboration, and a shared commitment to justice.

RAISE Lab cultivates an environment where academic excellence meets community accountability. We believe that the best research emerges from diverse perspectives, authentic collaboration, and a shared commitment to justice.

Community Centered Excellence

Research quality measured by community benefit

Community Centered Excellence

Research quality measured by community benefit

Community Centered Excellence

Research quality measured by community benefit

Community Centered Excellence

Research quality measured by community benefit

Community Centered Excellence

Research quality measured by community benefit

Community Centered Excellence

Research quality measured by community benefit

Decision Making 

Power

Real authority over research questions and methodologies

Decision Making Power

Real authority over research questions and methodologies

Mutual 

Benefit

Clear value and outcomes for community partners

Mutual 

Benefit

Clear value and outcomes for community partners

Cultural Responsiveness

Research that respects and reflects community values

Cultural Responsiveness

Research that respects and reflects community values

Sustainable Relationships

Long-term partnerships beyond individual projects

Sustainable Relationships

Long-term partnerships beyond individual projects

Capacity Building

Skills transfer and empowerment for community members

Capacity Building

Skills transfer and empowerment for community members

Transparency

Open communication about research processes and outcomescg that serves the common good

Transparency

Open communication about research processes and outcomescg that serves the common good

Accountability

Community-defined success metrics and evaluation

Accountability

Community-defined success metrics and evaluation

Partnerships

Consistent growth, boundless potential

Consistent growth, boundless potential

Our research is grounded in authentic partnerships with communities underserved by technology. We don't just study communities—we learn from them, partner with them, and ensure they lead in defining what responsible AI means.

University of Ghana Collaboration

Partnership with Prof Isaac Wiafe and the Human Computer Interaction Lab, working on equitable speech recognition for Ghanaian languages including Akan, Ga, Twi, and the endangered Ikposo language.

Focus: 
Language preservation, cultural alignment in AI systems, hyperlocal technology development

Chicago Community Organizations

Growing network of local Chicago community-based organizations focusing on technology equity, digital inclusion, and AI literacy in underserved communities.

Focus: 
Local impact, digital equity, workforce development, civic technology

Black Community Advisory Board

Continuing collaboration with the UW HCDE Black Community Advisory Board, serving as a model for community-centered research methodologies and university-community partnerships.

Focus: 
Methodology development, participatory research, community empowerment

Public Interest Technology

Chicago Civic-Tech Approach

Chicago Civic-Tech Approach

The RAISE Lab, College of Computing and Digital Media, and DePaul University are committed to strong civic engagement in our research, innovations, teaching, and impact. We are on a mission to re-define the tech landscape for Chicago locally toward impact on a national and global scale.

Community Action & Advocacy

We're excited for opportunities to support local community action, research, and advocacy on issues pertaining to technology. Our lab serves as a bridge between academic research and grassroots organizing for technology justice.

Workforce Development

We hope to contribute to Chicago's emerging technology workforce, looking for opportunities to create pathways for community members to compete for jobs and launch innovative ventures in the responsible AI space.

AI Policy and Regulatory Governance

The RAISE lab is well equipped to contribute to the rapidly-growing technology policy and governance landscape. We provide research, policy guidance, and expert analysis to help elected officials responsibly shape AI policy. We actively collaborate with academic researchers, community residents, legal professionals, and business leaders on AI policy expertise.

Local Innovation Ecosystem

By centering Chicago's diverse communities in our research, we aim to create technology solutions that reflect the city's values while contributing to national and global conversations about responsible AI.

Civic Partnerships

We actively seek partnerships with Chicago civic organizations, city government, and community groups to ensure our research serves local needs while building national models for community-centered technology.

Testimonials

Community Voices

Community Voices

The Community-Collaborative Computing Collective transforms how DePaul approaches technology research.....

The Community-Collaborative Computing Collective transforms how DePaul approaches technology research.....

NAACP Legal Defense Fund

UW HCDE Black CAB

This collaborative parnership will engage Ghanaian communities as co-designers to audit, adapt, and co-govern language teachnologies. Our goal is to produce open, reusable alignment frameworks, practical evaluation metrics, and governance patterns that scale to other under-resourced languages

This collaborative parnership will engage Ghanaian communities as co-designers to audit, adapt, and co-govern language teachnologies. Our goal is to produce open, reusable alignment frameworks, practical evaluation metrics, and governance patterns that scale to other under-resourced languages

Mark Atta Mensah

University of Ghana HCI Lab

They prioritize the needs and ensure research initiatives and outcomes benefit local Chicago community members.

They prioritize the needs and ensure research initiatives and outcomes benefit local Chicago community members.

Miranada Standberry-Wallace

Irwin W. Steans Center

Join Our Mission

Ready to be part of advancing responsible AI that serves the common good? 



Whether you're a student, researcher, community organization, or industry partner, there's a place for you in our movement.

Join Our Mission

Ready to be part of advancing responsible AI that serves the common good?
Whether you're a student, researcher, community organization, or industry partner, there's a place for you in our movement.

Join Our Mission

Ready to be part of advancing responsible AI that serves the common good? Whether you're a student, researcher, community organization, or industry partner, there's a place for you in our movement.

Location

DePaul University,
College of Computing & Digital Media
Chicago, IL

Working Hours

Mon-Friday: 09AM - 05PM

Sat-Sun: Closed

Contact

raiselab@depaul.edu

+773 899 40xx

Location

DePaul University,
College of Computing & Digital Media
Chicago, IL

Working Hours

Mon-Friday: 09AM - 05PM
Sat-Sun: Closed

Contact

raiselab@depaul.edu
+773 899 40xx

Location

DePaul University,
College of Computing & Digital Media
Chicago, IL

Working Hours

Mon-Friday: 09AM - 05PM

Sat-Sun: Closed

Contact

raiselab@depaul.edu
+773 899 40xx

RAISE

About

Research

Community

People

RAISE

RAISE

About

Research

Community

People