AI for Social Sciences

The AI for Social Sciences Lab at S3H is a pioneering initiative dedicated to exploring how artificial intelligence can be leveraged to address complex societal challenges. By integrating AI tools and methods into the core of social science research, the lab enhances analytical capabilities, encourages interdisciplinary collaboration, and contributes to policy-relevant, evidence-based insights.

PI’s Profile

Dr. Muhammad Ali (PhD, University of Manchester, Microsoft Research Cambridge, Germany) is currently serving as Associate Professor at NUST. Dr. Ali is an Associate Professor of Economics at the School of Social Sciences and Humanities (S3H), NUST. He is a Humboldt Fellow and a member of the Global Young Academy. He holds a PhD in Economics of Innovation from Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany financed by DFG Foundation, Germany. Dr. Ali returned to Pakistan in April 2024 after completing a 2.5-year Postdoctoral Fellowship funded by the prestigious Alexander von Humboldt Foundation.

His postdoctoral research focused on university-industry linkages and the role of Science and Technology Parks in enhancing innovation performance in developing countries, particularly Pakistan. Dr. Ali has published over 15 papers in international peer-reviewed journals. His work has garnered 1,200+ citations on Google Scholar, with an H-index of 17. He has presented his work at several international conferences. Recognizing his contributions, NUST awarded him the Best Research Award in 2020 for his impactful publications and projects. Dr. Ali has led multiple research projects, including a recently completed SDPI-funded project as Principal Investigator. He is currently engaged in a consultancy assignment with the World Bank. In the past, he has also completed projects financed by Friedrich Ebert Stiftung and HEC. He is an Associate Editor of Humanities and Social Sciences Communications and PloS One journals. He also regularly reviews research papers for reputable international journals such as World Development, Journal of Evolutionary Economics and Journal of Development Economics. His core research interest lies in the role of innovation in economic development. In 2019, he co-organized a panel discussion titled “How Well Will Pakistan Adapt to the Changing Nature of Work?” in collaboration with LUMS and the World Bank, exploring the impact of AI and technological advancements on labor markets. Before joining NUST, Dr. Ali worked for two years as a consultant at the World Bank, specializing in economic and data analysis. He holds a Master’s in Economics and Finance from Charles University, Prague, funded by a Czech Government Scholarship for Developing Countries, and an M.Phil. in Applied Economics from AERC, University of Karachi.

Human Resource

Typical Enrollment of lab researchers: 2-5 MS researchers

Lab Equipment /Resources

Currently, we only have some furniture borrowed from S3H. We have requested a Desktop computer under our project submitted to Pro Rector Acad.

Expertise/ Capabilities of Lab

Automating and enhancing literature‑review and research‑synthesis workflows in social sciences (using AI tools to map, summarise, code large bodies of text)
Applying natural‑language processing (NLP) and text analytics to media, communication, discourse and qualitative social‑science data (e.g., media content, policy documents)
Structuring and analysing large‑scale social‑behavioural and human‑data sets (including modelling behaviour change, public‑policy impacts, developmental indicators)
Enabling interdisciplinary linkage between AI/ML tools and domain expertise in economics, public policy, development studies by facilitating tools that transform domain data into actionable insight for social science scholars.
Training and capacity‑building (workshops, hands‑on sessions) for social‑science faculty and researchers to use AI‑based research methods, tools and workflows
Impact evaluation of the AI projects in social sciences.

Projects

AI-Based Gamified App for Career Counseling
Responsibly incorporating AI in University Curriculum.

Contact Us

Dr. Muhammad Ali
Contact No.: 05190853571
Email: [email protected]