Have you had a play yet? #AIFringe
Dr Emma Stone on what the advancements in AI could mean for digitally excluded people, and how it can fix the digital divide - as explored at the #AIFringe
In June, our whole organisation came together to talk AI, have a play, and think about what AI means for how we work and our mission to fix the digital divide.
So when we heard about the AI Summit Fringe (a civil society forum complementing the global AI Safety Summit hosted by the UK Government at Bletchley Park) – we wanted to get involved … to bring in different voices, and to widen the conversation and explore: How can AI help to fix the digital divide?
The digital divide is widening as well as deepening (as Digital Nation 2023 reveals). What does AI mean for digital equity? Concern is rising as AI deepening inequalities, as it draws on datasets which already leave out people who are digitally excluded. Can we hope that generative AI tools like ChatGPT might at least help to level the playing field and make it easier to use the internet? I wonder what would need to be in place for this to happen.
Helen Milner, our CEO, is one of five panellists; you can read her unequivocal thoughts on the Government response to the House of Lords report on digital exclusion here. Also taking part are Julie Hawker from Cosmic and Caspar Kennerdale from ClearCommunityWeb – both leaders from community organisations in the National Digital Inclusion Network; Rachel Coldicutt OBE (tech strategist and head of Careful Industries) and Naureen Khan (Accenture UK lead on AI). A top panel! Click here to register for our event on Inclusive AI: How can AI fix the digital divide
I have no idea whether I’ll come out of this week’s AI Summit Fringe feeling scared, hopeful, powerless, challenged, or clear on what I can do. I’m curious to find out!
P.S. We’re taking part in other AI Fringe events too. You’ll find…
- Helen on the panel at the Shard on the future of work and AI
- Emma on the panel in Manchester on closing the AI skills gap
- Hannah in the audience at the British Library on defining AI safety in practice
- Emma in the audience at the British Academy on AI and good work
To keep in touch with AI Fringe week: