PeopleofSuperintelligence

Researcher

Kate Devlin

Kate Devlin is a computer scientist who examines the ethical and social implications of technology and intimacy, including sex robots. She graduated in archaeology from Queen's University Belfast in 1997 and earned a PhD in computer science at Bristol in 2004. In 2016 she co-chaired the Love and Sex with Robots conference in London, and her book Turned On: Science, Sex and Robots was published with Bloomsbury in 2018. She directed advocacy and engagement for the UKRI-funded Trusted Autonomous Systems Hub from 2020 to 2024, and she was appointed to the DSIT College of Experts in July 2026. As of October 2026, she is Chair-Director of the Digital Futures Institute at King's College London, a post she took up in January 2025.

Works
77
Citations
1,070
h-index
13

Publication numbers from OpenAlex, as of 15 October 2026.

Timeline

  1. 1997

    A BA in archaeology

    She graduates from Queen's University Belfast in 1997 with a BA in archaeology.

  2. 2004

    A PhD in computer science

    She completes a PhD in computer science at the University of Bristol in 2004.

  3. 2016

    Co-chairing Love and Sex with Robots

    In 2016 she co-chairs the International Congress on Love and Sex with Robots in London.

  4. 2018

    The book Turned On

    She publishes Turned On: Science, Sex and Robots with Bloomsbury in 2018, a book on the ethical and social implications of technology and intimacy.

  5. 2020–2024

    Advocacy for autonomous systems

    She directs advocacy and engagement for the UKRI-funded Trusted Autonomous Systems Hub, which runs from 2020 to 2024.

  6. Since 2025

    Running the Digital Futures Institute

    She starts as Chair-Director of the Digital Futures Institute at King's College London in January 2025.

  7. 2025

    Advice on the Luxembourg Declaration

    In 2025 she advises on the Luxembourg Declaration on Artificial Intelligence and Human Values.

  8. July 2026

    Joining the DSIT College of Experts

    She is appointed to the new DSIT College of Experts, a network of independent specialists for the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.

Sources and credits

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  1. Kate Devlin - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org. Checked 15 October 2026.
  2. Kate Devlin | King's College London kcl.ac.uk. Checked 15 October 2026.
  3. Kate Devlin, "Turned On: Science, Sex and Robots" (Bloomsbury, 2018) - New Books Network newbooksnetwork.com. Checked 15 October 2026.
  4. Women in AI: Kate Devlin of King's College is researching AI and intimacy | TechCrunch techcrunch.com. Checked 15 October 2026.
  5. Professor Kate Devlin appointed Chair-Director of the Digital Futures Institute | King's College London kcl.ac.uk. Checked 15 October 2026.
  6. Humanists pass global declaration on artificial intelligence and human values – Humanists UK humanists.uk. Checked 15 October 2026.
  7. Professor Kate Devlin appointed to DSIT College of Experts | King's College London kcl.ac.uk. Checked 15 October 2026.