New data initiatives are now a central element of efforts to transform the UK public sector.
Over recent weeks there has been news of the Government’s Integrated Data Service winning accreditation as a trusted research environment, the London Office of Technology and Innovation publishing a collection of guidance on the use of generative AI, and the Scottish Government emphasising the importance of engagement and ethics in the private sector’s use of public sector data. These are just examples of a powerful trend towards using data a core asset for public services.
But there are always concerns around the quality of the data and the ethics of how it used. These are becoming more intense as organisations explore the use of AI in services and to support decision making.
It is against this background that the next UKAuthority virtual conference, AI & Data4Good 2023, will take place next week.
It will provide presentations on a range of initiatives and address crucial questions on whether the sector has sufficiently strong data foundations to exploit the potential of AI while ensuring it is safe and free of bias. This involves issues around data quality, standards for integration, security, a willingness to questions assumptions and the development of the relevant skills.
Range of speakers
The event will include a selection of speakers involved in cutting edge work across the public sector, including:
- Renate Samson, Associate Director (Society, justice & public services), Ada Lovelace Institute
- Sam Smith, Director of Institute, Socitm
- Sarah Pena, Head of Emerging Technology, Swindon Borough Council
- Josh Wahnon, Data Scientist, Hertfordshire County Council
- Ellen Wilson, EMEA Public Sector, Amazon Web Services
- Lisa Allen, Director of Data and Tech Services, Open Data Institute
- Sue Bateman, Chief Data Officer, Central Digital & Data Office
- Ayub Bhayat, Director of Data Services and Deputy Chief Data and Analytics Officer, NHS England
- Richard Smith, Head of Insight, Policy & Strategy, Birmingham City Council
- Major George McCrea, Military Liaison, Defence Digital Foundry, MoD
- Dr. Susheel Varma, Head of AI & Data Science, Information Commissioner’s Office
- Nick Chapallaz, Managing Director, GeoPlace
- Tom Smith, Director Spatial Data Unit, Chief Data Officer, Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities
- Ade Bamigboye, Chief Technology Officer, Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea
Online attendees will be able to influence the debate with questions and observations, and contribute to the exchange of experience and ideas about how to meet the challenges around data and AI in the sector.
The event will take place over three sessions, from 11.00-12.30, on 18, 19 and 20 October, providing a great opportunity to strengthen your understanding of how to fulfil the potential. Our thanks to our amazing event partner, Amazon Web Services, for enabling us to provide this conference free of charge to UKAuthority's audience.
Watch live for the opportunity to add your own thoughts and experience. Register below for the Teams Live broadcast links to join us next week.