Connected by data

Beyond Tech Experts: Public Voices Must Shape AI's Future

Guest ▪ Jun 5, 2025

An op-ed written by the PVAI People’s Advisory Panel

The upcoming government spending review is likely to place a big emphasis on the potential of AI to update public services, and yet less than 25% of the population feel their views and values are represented in current decisions being made about AI. As a group of citizens from all walks of life, engaged over the last year in exploring how the public could, and should, have a voice shaping a responsible AI future, we believe that needs to change. And it can.

Getting the best from a public advisory panel

Anna Beckett ▪ May 6, 2025

Recently I’ve had the privilege of convening a couple of public advisory panels for large-scale research and evaluation programmes, including the Connected by Data Public Voice in AI (PVAI) People’s Advisory Panel. In both cases the panels led to tangible improvements in the programmes they were advising, but running these sessions was not without its challenges. Here I share some reflections on how to work well with a public advisory panel.

Seeking examples of participatory digital governance

Tim Davies ▪ Mar 5, 2025

Over March 2025 we’re mapping out organisations and projects across the globe that are giving communities a voice in the governance of digital technology in public or private sectors as part of a rapid research project for the Open Government Partnership.

Saving money with AI in the UK public sector

Jeni Tennison ▪ Feb 21, 2025

A strategic approach to the adoption of AI in the public sector should focus investments in places that will make a difference. Saving money is one of the big priorities for this government, so where should it target AI to realise those ambitions?

Case study: Count Them In

Tim Davies ▪ Feb 7, 2025

As part of our work on the Community Campaigns on Data: Campaigners Toolkit we have identified a series of case studies that provide an insight into how data is a key component of campaigns.

Case study: Trade Union Campaigns

Tim Davies ▪ Feb 5, 2025

As part of our work on the Community Campaigns on Data: Campaigners Toolkit we have identified a series of case studies that provide an insight into how data is a key component of campaigns.

Case study: Data Against Feminicide

Tim Davies ▪ Feb 3, 2025

As part of our work on the Community Campaigns on Data: Campaigners Toolkit we have identified a series of case studies that provide an insight into how data is a key component of campaigns.

Case study: Free The Postcode

Tim Davies ▪ Jan 30, 2025

As part of our work on the Community Campaigns on Data: Campaigners Toolkit we have identified a series of case studies that provide an insight into how data is a key component of campaigns.

Data Policy Digest

Gavin Freeguard ▪ Mar 3, 2025

SOMETHING STIRS!

Hello, and welcome to our 29th Data Policy Digest, bringing you all - well, some of - the latest data and AI policy developments.

You may remember that we put the Digest on pause while we seek sustainable funding for it. Those efforts are ongoing (and please let us know if you have any feedback). But given just how much has been going on, we thought it was worth putting out a slimmed-down version (no, really, it actually is) to help you catch up on what’s been happening on data and AI policy, in the UK parliament and government, at least.

Weeknotes are a combination of updates and personal reflection written on a routine basis