PhD in Politics and International Studies, Political Theory; Fellowship at the Higher Education Academy
Teaching Fellow at the Leverhulme CFI Research Bye-Fellow at Hughes Hall
With years of research experience in the theory and practice of democracy, William is particularly interested in AI’s impact on the functioning, limits and values of democratic institutions, and the relevant implications for corporate actors. He has also contributed perspectives to major public bodies, such as the Ethics and Integrity Commission, in digital interventions designed to hold public officials up to ethical standards.
Lead responsible AI adoption in your organisation. This course equips you with practical frameworks to assess risk, apply ethical principles and translate AI potential into clear, confident strategic decisions.
2022: ESRC Early Career Fellowship, University of Southampton
2019 and 2021: Nominations for Teaching Excellence Awards, University of Warwick
2017: Best MA Performance Award, University of Warwick
Chan, W. (2026). The boundary problem of democratising AI in the workplace (opens in a new tab). Cambridge Forum on AI: Law and Governance, 2, e4.
Chan, W. (2026). The place of democracy in AI ethics (opens in a new tab). In R. Queiroz, ed., Understanding the Value of Democracy in the 21st Century: “By the People, For the People”. De Gruyter, pp. 355–378.
Chan, W. and Fu, M. (2025). Navigating ethical challenges of AI chatbots for sex therapy (opens in a new tab). In P. Hacker, ed., Oxford Intersections: AI in Society.
Chan, W. (2025). Chinese meritocracy versus Western democracy: An artificial dichotomy (opens in a new tab). Journal of Social and Political Philosophy, 4(1), 38–53.
Chan, W. (2025). Review of Mark Coeckelbergh: Why AI Undermines democracy and what to do about it (opens in a new tab). Ethical Theory and Moral Practice, 28, 331–333.
Chan, W. (2024). Merit for political power: The normative basis (opens in a new tab). Journal of Value Inquiry.
Chan, W. (2023). AI chatbots and liberal education (opens in a new tab). AI & Society, 39, 2607–2609.
Module Lead and Tutor at Cambridge Advance Online
Course Lead of AI & Democratic Values, MSt in AI Ethics and Society, Leverhulme CFI, University of Cambridge
Academic Tutor at the Downing College International Summer Programme, University of Cambridge
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