Doing AI Differently: Methodology Report

The Doing AI Differently initiative demonstrates how research communities can be systematically cultivated around complex challenges that exceed current disciplinaryboundaries. Over 18 months, this approach engaged 150+ researchers across 40+institutions and 6 continents, achieving adoption as a £1M programme theme at UKResearch & Innovation with international co-funding.The methodology presents two key innovations: upstream humanities integration (incorporating interpretive expertise early in technology development) and intentionalfield formation (creating collaborative spaces for interdisciplinary inquiry). These approaches offer direct applications to national and international AI strategies, includingthe UK’s AI Opportunities Action Plan, whilst providing transferable frameworks for accelerating innovation across domains from sustainability to healthcare.This report documents the systematic processes underlying the Doing AI Differently white paper, providing practical tools for replication and evidence-based validation.