Everyone’s talking about AI in cities right now.

Pilots. Use cases. Scaling. Procurement.

But if we’re honest, much of the conversation still feels safe - focused on delivery and implementation, rather than the real impact on work, people and the kind of future we’re creating.

This event is part of ongoing ESRC-funded research exploring what a good city AI ecosystem looks like in practice - not just in terms of what works, but what is fair, sustainable and delivers real public value.

Through a structured, Oxford-style debate across two themes - Work and Jobs and Human Impact - we will explore some of the questions that are often left out of the conversation:

• What should AI infrastructure for creative industries look like - and who should it benefit?

• How is AI reshaping jobs, skills and the future of work in cities?

• How are people increasingly making decisions with and through AI systems?

• What does this mean for mental health, trust, confidence and everyday life?

This is not a typical panel event.

Expect challenge and perspectives.

No slides. No sales pitches.

Just a chance to pause, reflect and ask: Are we building the kind of AI city we actually want?