Michael Wilby

Michael Wilby is an Associate Professor of Philosophy at Anglia Ruskin University (ARU), based in Cambridge. He serves as Course Director for ARU's BA (Hons) Philosophy and Philosophy and English Literature programs. His academic affiliations include membership in the International Society of Social Ontology, ARU’s Advanced Computing Research Centre, and the AI in Learning, Teaching and Assessment Group.

Wilby holds a PhD in Philosophy from the University of York (2008), an MA from the University of Bristol, a BA (Hons) from the University of Sheffield, and a PGCert in Higher Education from ARU. His research focuses on philosophy of mind, collective intentionality, joint attention, and the philosophy of artificial intelligence, with recent work exploring ethical dimensions of AI and the concept of evil. He has supervised multiple PhD students and teaches interdisciplinary modules on AI ethics, consciousness, and epistemology.

His research interests span social ontology, hinge epistemology, and the intersection of philosophy with developmental psychology and technology. Recent presentations include talks on AI ethics at conferences in Helsinki, Lisbon, and Cambridge. He has engaged with media platforms such as ABC Radio National and The Conversation, discussing topics like common knowledge and philosophical approaches to climate change.

Wilby’s publications include articles in journals like Topoi, International Journal of Philosophical Studies, and Philosophical Psychology, as well as contributions to edited volumes on AI, social robotics, and philosophical methodology. His work bridges traditional philosophical inquiry with contemporary issues in technology and ethics.