PeopleofSuperintelligence

Researcher

Peter Smith

Peter Smith was a University of Sunderland professor whose AI work ranged from the RADA research and development advisor to papers on disability and health care ethics. He joined Sunderland Polytechnic as an undergraduate in 1975, earned a PhD in Mathematical Modelling in 1981, and served as Professor of Computing, Dean of Computing and Engineering, and Emeritus Professor. With Laura Smith, he coauthored a 2020 paper examining AI’s potential to support disabled people. The University awarded him an Honorary Doctorate of Technology in 2022. He died in 2025, and his debate with Roy Rada on AI, health care ethics and disability appeared in AI and Ethics in June 2025.

Works
76
Citations
493
h-index
12
Badges

Publication numbers from OpenAlex, as of 22 October 2026.

Timeline

  1. 1975–1981

    A science degree and PhD

    He joins Sunderland Polytechnic as an undergraduate in 1975, earns a Combined Studies degree in Science, majoring in Computing and Mathematics in 1978, and completes a PhD in Mathematical Modelling in 1981.

  2. 1990

    The RADA advisor

    In 1990, he coauthors “RADA—a research and development advisor incorporating artificial intelligence techniques and expert system approaches.”

  3. 1992

    Professor of Computing

    In 1992, the University of Sunderland makes him Professor of Computing as Sunderland Polytechnic becomes the University of Sunderland.

  4. By 2013

    Dean and emeritus professor

    He serves for about 10 years as Dean of Computing and Engineering, resumes his professorship, and retires from the University of Sunderland in 2013 as an Emeritus Professor.

  5. 2020

    AI and disability

    With Laura Smith, he publishes “Artificial intelligence and disability: too much promise, yet too little substance?” in 2020. Their article examines AI’s potential to support and transform disabled people’s lives.

  6. 2022

    An honorary doctorate

    In July 2022, the University of Sunderland awards him an Honorary Doctorate of Technology for his academic achievements and contribution to computer science.

  7. 2025

    Died in 2025

    Smith dies in 2025.

  8. June 2025

    AI ethics debate with Roy Rada

    In June 2025, his debate with Roy Rada, “AI, healthcare ethics, and disability: a debate,” appears in AI and Ethics. The article examines ethical questions about AI in health care and its effects on disabled people.

Career

  1. 1992–2013University of SunderlandProfessor of Computing

Education

  1. 1981Sunderland PolytechnicPhD in Mathematical Modelling
  2. 1978Sunderland PolytechnicCombined Studies degree in Science

From the biography and OpenAlex affiliations (the years of papers that list the organization), so some years are approximate.

Most-cited works

  1. Artificial intelligence and disability: too much promise, yet too little substance?2020 · AI and Ethics · 72 citations
  2. The role of the Professional Doctorate in developing professional practice2011 · Journal of Nursing Management · 43 citations
  3. Towards intellectual freedom in an AI Ethics Global Community2021 · AI and Ethics · 34 citationsWith Merve Hickok
  4. Use, problems, benefits and future direction of computer-aided software engineering in United Kingdom1991 · Information and Software Technology · 29 citations
  5. Software Build Systems: Principles and Experience2011 · 27 citations

From OpenAlex, as of 21 October 2026.

  1. Google had the most people shaping AI every year from 2014 to 2025Our estimates of which organizations employed the most people shaping AI each year from 1955 to 2025, tracing the shift from university labs to companies.
  2. The United States employs an estimated 48% of people shaping AIWe estimate where the people shaping AI work today, how universities, companies and research institutes split across countries, and how country shares have changed since the 1960s.
  3. 43% of living people shaping AI work outside their country of birthWe estimate that 43% of living people shaping AI work outside their country of birth (520 of 1,198 people with known birth and employment countries).
  4. More people shaping AI studied at Massachusetts Institute of Technology than at any other institutionWe estimate where the people shaping AI studied and where their careers led. Massachusetts Institute of Technology leads with 467 former students, including 291 recorded doctorates.

Colleagues

People named in this biography, and people with dated positions at the same organization in the same years.

Sources and credits

Photo: We have no published photo of Peter Smith yet. Send us a free-licensed photo.

  1. Peter Smith - SURE sure.sunderland.ac.uk. Checked 21 October 2026.
  2. University of Sunderland Graduations: University honours local education hero sunderland.ac.uk. Checked 21 October 2026.
  3. Peter Smith (computer scientist) - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org. Checked 21 October 2026.
  4. Artificial intelligence and disability: too much promise, yet too little substance? - SURE sure.sunderland.ac.uk. Checked 21 October 2026.
  5. University pays tribute to friend and colleague Professor Peter Smith - FE News fenews.co.uk. Checked 21 October 2026.
  6. University runners raise over £6,000 at London Marathon | University of Sunderland sunderland.ac.uk. Checked 21 October 2026.
  7. AI, healthcare ethics, and disability: a debate - Rada Trust radatrust.org. Checked 21 October 2026.