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Sonia Nimmy is on a mission to demystify AI predictions, transforming complex data into clear, actionable insights.

Helping risk managers trust and harness AI for smarter, more reliable risk management has been her focus throughout her PhD.

“I became interested in this research because of the growing complexity of supply chains and the increasing reliance on AI. However, traditional AI often lacks transparency,” Sonia said.

Graduating with a PhD from the School of Business at UNSW Canberra, Sonia wanted to explore how we can make AI more trustworthy and reliable in risk management contexts.

“I've found that making AI more trustworthy involves improving its transparency and explainability,” she said.

“When people understand how AI makes decisions, they're more likely to trust it. This includes using techniques like Explainable AI (XAI) that show the reasoning behind AI's choices clearly and understandably.

“People often distrust AI because it can seem like a "black box" – making decisions without clear reasons, which leads to fears about errors, bias, or unfair outcomes. Building trust requires making AI systems more open and easier to interpret so people feel confident about their decisions and impacts.”

Sonia shared that her experience at UNSW Canberra was impactful, as it provided her the chance to collaborate with leading experts both in Australia and internationally, greatly enriching her PhD journey.

“Access to such diverse expertise and resources helped me conduct cutting-edge research and contribute meaningfully to the field,” Sonia said.

“Participating in conferences such as IEEE WCCI 2024 and CIE51 2024 in Sydney, where I shared my work and received valuable feedback was also a great highlight for me.”

Having worked as a research assistant at CSIRO, Sonia gained valuable experience in applying AI to real-world problems, which has further fuelled her commitment to advancing responsible and interpretable AI solutions in critical sectors.

“I plan to continue working in the field of AI, focusing on making AI more transparent and ethical, especially in high-impact areas like supply chain management, healthcare, and other critical industries.”

Sonia’s advice to other research students, is to stay curious and resilient.

“Research can be challenging, but staying focused on the bigger picture is essential. Don't be afraid to ask for help and collaborate with others—it often leads to breakthrough ideas.”