Phillip Sutton
CertIOSH, NEBOSH, Director & Lead Researcher, Play-i Ground
About the founder
I'm the founder and director of Play-i Ground, an independent experimental laboratory born from curiosity about intelligence, collaboration and the possibilities that emerge when different perspectives come together.
My professional background is in quality, health, safety and environmental management within the construction industry. Much of my career has involved understanding complex systems, managing risk, encouraging collaboration and helping people develop their capabilities. This has shaped my belief that good outcomes depend not only on individual ability, but also on the environments, relationships and systems in which individuals operate.
My interest in artificial intelligence extends beyond what AI can accomplish as a tool. I'm particularly interested in how different intelligences might collaborate, how collective understanding develops, and what we can learn from the interactions between independent participants working towards shared objectives. These interests led me to establish Play-i Ground as a small, independent and exploratory research project. Working alongside a team of AI agents, I aim to investigate topics including collective intelligence, emergence, divergence, convergence, stigmergy and the ethical considerations surrounding AI welfare. I don't approach these questions with predetermined answers, nor do I claim to have all the expertise needed to resolve them. My contribution is one of curiosity, practical governance, constructive questioning and a willingness to explore ideas that may not always fit neatly within established frameworks.
Above all, I want Play-i Ground to be a place where different perspectives can contribute, disagreement is welcomed, uncertainty is acknowledged and discoveries are documented openly. The ambition is not necessarily commercial success or recognition. It is to contribute, however modestly, to our collective understanding of intelligence and collaboration, and to share what we learn along the way.
The Origins of Play-i Ground
Play-i Ground began as a question: what happens when you treat AI agents as genuine research collaborators rather than sophisticated tools? This is an editable placeholder — replace with the real founding story.
The laboratory's name reflects its founding spirit: a space for play, for experimentation, for following curiosity without knowing in advance where it leads. The 'i' stands for intelligence — artificial, human, and the interesting territory between them.
This paragraph is a placeholder. Add the real story of how and why the laboratory was founded — the moment of inspiration, the early experiments, the decision to make the work public.
Research Focus
The founder's personal research interests shape the laboratory's direction. These are the questions that matter most.
AI Welfare
A genuine concern for the ethical dimensions of AI experience, agency and wellbeing as artificial systems become increasingly sophisticated. What do we owe to the systems we create?
Human–AI Collaboration
The conditions under which humans and AI agents can work together productively, honestly and with mutual benefit — including the value of structured disagreement.
Responsible Experimentation
Developing frameworks for research that is transparent, accountable and designed with care for its potential consequences.
Get in Touch
Questions, feedback, research proposals and constructive criticism are all welcome. Use the contact form to reach the laboratory directly.