Dr Haithem Afli

Email Address: [email protected]

Dr. Haithem Afli is a leading researcher and lecturer in Artificial Intelligence (AI) with over 15 years of experience, specialising in Natural Language Processing (NLP) and Applied Machine Learning. He is the founder and head of the Human-centred AI (HAI) research group at Munster Technological University (MTU), Ireland, and leads the ADAPT Centre team at MTU, managing a diverse portfolio of national, European, and global projects. His work has significantly advanced AI research and its practical applications across multiple sectors.

At MTU, Dr. Afli plays multiple influential roles, including faculty member, Chair of the Computer Science Postgraduate Research Board, and elected member of the MTU Academic Council. He is also a member of the MTU AI and Assessment Working Group and a member of the MTU Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Learning Committee. His leadership has been pivotal in enhancing postgraduate research and promoting AI education.

As a Science Foundation Ireland (now Taighde Éireann – Research Ireland) funded Investigator at the ADAPT Centre, Dr. Afli manages the MTU ADAPT team and contributes to the activities of the broader ADAPT Centre, a research consortium involving eight Irish universities. His interdisciplinary research focuses on responsible AI in NLP, healthcare, biology, and social sciences, with a particular emphasis on AI ethics and its societal impact.

Recognised as a Senior Member of IEEE, Dr. Afli is also affiliated with ACM and ACL. He has led numerous Horizon Europe projects, contributing to cutting-edge AI solutions. Additionally, he serves as an EU expert in AI, where he evaluates and reviews large-scale projects. His advisory roles with companies such as Emotionise.ai, LinguaAnalysis, and BlueTensor underscore his dedication to translating AI research into real-world applications.

Key Areas of Research:

  • Natural Language Processing (NLP): Specialising in machine translation, sentiment analysis, and text mining, with applications in social sciences, political studies, and beyond.
  • AI in Healthcare and Biology: Advancing AI-driven healthcare and biological data analysis, including projects in genomics and microbiome research.
  • AI in Social Sciences: Developing AI tools for migration forecasting, trustworthy AI applications, and addressing other societal challenges.
  • Data Analytics and Predictive Modelling: Building AI-driven predictive models for large datasets, particularly in the political and financial sectors.

 

Dr. Afli’s involvement in international AI education, conference leadership, and academic publishing has established him as a key figure in the global AI community. His contributions continue to drive innovation in AI, addressing both theoretical challenges and practical applications with far-reaching societal impact.

 

Research Domains
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Behavioural Analysis
  • Data Analytics
  • Deep Learning
  • Digital Humanities
  • Emotion
  • FinTech
  • Image and Video processing
  • Languages
  • Linguistics
  • Machine Learning
  • Machine Translation
  • Natural Language Processing

Publications by Haithem Afli