Puntis Palazzolo

Hi! I’m Puntis — a second-year PhD student in Computer Science at the University of Nottingham. My research explores the fascinating connection between how people place trust in black-box AI systems that are considered trustworthy. With my supervisors Bernd Stahl and Helena Webb, I am exploring how our diverse backgrounds influence our perceived trust in AI, and how the distinct concepts of trust and trustworthiness relate to one another. For me, this academic path is about contributing to a responsible future. You can see an interactive overview of my PhD project below!

Outside of my studies, I bring over 10 years of hands-on experience in AI and machine learning. I've worn many hats, from being an AI ethics lead and data scientist to a strategist and product manager, working in diverse fields like healthcare, HR, and aerospace. As the Responsible AI Governance Lead at LinkedIn and SAP SuccessFactors, I focused on making sure our AI practices are ethical and compliant with regulations. I'm also proud to be recognized as one of the Top 100 Women in AI Ethics in 2025 and actively contribute to communities like Women in AI Ethics, ML Commons, and AIHorizon. My goal, whether through research, writing, mentoring, or community work, is to help build responsible AI that people can genuinely trust and that truly benefits society.