Alan Said

Alan Said is an Associate Professor in the Department of Applied IT at the University of Gothenburg, where he also serves as Head of Education. His research focuses on recommender systems, user modeling, personalization, and the human-centered evaluation of AI technologies. He is actively engaged in promoting responsible, fair, and sustainable AI through interdisciplinary research and community leadership.

Research Interests:

• User Modeling and Personalization
• Recommender Systems (RecSys)
• Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) and Human-Centered AI (HCAI)
• Explainable and Responsible AI
• Green AI and Environmental Impact of Recommender Systems
• Reproducibility and Evaluation Methodologies

His recent publications reflect a strong trend toward ethical, sustainable, and socially conscious AI, with a focus on fairness in healthcare, environmental cost measurement, and interdisciplinary approaches to recommendation. He contributes extensively to top-tier venues such as ACM RecSys and UMAP.

Scientific Awards:

• ACM Distinguished Speaker

Advising and Grants:

Alan Said advises students on topics ranging from fairness in AI to human-centered explanations and sustainable recommender systems. He has been involved in organizing workshops and special issues that promote critical reflection and interdisciplinary collaboration in the RecSys community. He has participated in funded research projects, including international collaborations supported by agencies like Vinnova.

Labs and Teams:

He is a key organizer of the Human-centered AI (HCAI) podcast and has co-organized influential workshops such as BEYOND and INTROSPECTIVES at RecSys, fostering dialogue on the societal and ethical dimensions of AI. His work bridges computer science, psychology, design, and ethics, emphasizing collaboration across disciplines.