Pip Thornton

Dr. Pip Thornton is a Principal Research Fellow at the School of GeoSciences, University of Edinburgh. Her research focuses on the economic, political, and cultural impacts of language in the digital age. Her work critically examines linguistic capitalism, delving into how language is utilized and monetized by digital technology corporations. She disseminates her academic findings through artistic and creative interventions, connecting her research with the public. Her studies reveal how Google and other tech giants exploit and commercialize language for economic gain, while expressing profound concern about the erosion of creativity and human values caused by AI-generated content. Her approach integrates traditional artistic methods and technological innovation, collaborating with organizations such as the Edinburgh International Book Festival to advocate for authors' creative and economic rights in the age of AI.

• Present·University of Edinburgh·Principal Research Fellow
  • Focused on researching the economic value of language, exploring linguistic capitalism and its cultural and social impacts.

• 2013-2019·Royal Holloway, University of London·Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
  • Specialization: Critical studies on the value of language in the algorithmic reproduction era
• 2010-2012·King's College London·Master of Arts (MA)
  • Specialization: English
• 1999-2005·The Open University·Bachelor of Arts (BA)
  • Specialization: English Literature
• 1992-1995·University of Liverpool·Bachelor of Arts (BA)
  • Specialization: Arts, History, and Politics