Digital Intelligence Safety Research Institute

Digital Safety Research Institute

The Digital Safety Research Institute (DSRI) at UL Research Institutes aims to help protect consumers from rapidly evolving digital risks while they continue to benefit from the digital ecosystem. We can achieve this goal by creating a safer digital ecosystem. While this is a monumental task, we are committed to partnering with other organizations who share in our passion for digital safety.
In the Security Control Room Officer Monitors Multiple Screens for Suspicious Activities. He Guards Internationally Important Logistics Facility.

What are examples of rapidly evolving digital risks?

  • Unwanted access to personal devices
    User applications and/or malware can collect personal information without users' consent, or even destroy their devices.
     
  • Massive data collection and theft 
    Corporations collect and share massive amounts of users’ personal information. They are failing to properly protect that information from data brokers or cyber criminals.
     
  • Dark patterns/End User License Agreements (EULAs)
    Applications sometimes use dark patterns to guide consumers to make choices that are not in their best interests. 
     
  • Artificial intelligence (AI) biases as scaled discrimination 
    AI can learn and amplify societies’ biases (e.g., racial and gender biases), unintentionally using them to discriminate against underrepresented groups.
Man typing at his laptop computer at night

How is DSRI starting to tackle these digital risks?

  • February 2022
    UL Research Institutes established DSRI, partnering with the Center for Advancing Safety of Machine Intelligence (CASMI) at Northwestern University to research artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML).
     
  • August 2022
    Dr. Jill Crisman was named DSRI's inaugural executive director. Using her background in academia, industry, and government, she plans to expand the scope of DSRI to tackle the full spectrum of digital threats to consumers and societies.
     
  • Today
    DSRI is hiring technical staff to build solutions that help create the safer ecosystem with partnering organizations. We plan to partner with industry, academia, consumer advocates, cyber insurers, and the government to help grow a safer digital ecosystem for consumers.

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