Keith works with Bio-Inspired approaches to Artificial Intelligence (AI), an area at the intersection of several fields: AI, Artificial Life (ALife), Computational Neuroscience, and Cognitive Science.  In general, his main interest is in the emergence of life and intelligence in both natural and artificial systems.  This drives his strong technical focus on the simulated evolution of neural networks, an endeavor involving two primary AI / Alife tools: Evolutionary Algorithms (EAs) and Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs).  Keith's long career of research in these areas culminated in two books published by MIT Press:  Intelligence Emerging (2015) and Gradient Expectations (2023).

Keith teaches several of NTNU's AI classes, with contributions varying from full responsibility to a few lectures each semester.  These classes include: Introductory AI, AI Programming, Cognitive Architectures and Deep Learning, along with less-frequent lectures in Machine Learning and AI Methods.  In addition, he enjoys giving lectures on AI and ALife to diverse groups throughout Norway.