PEOPLE’S PANEL FOR AI
Empowering communities to influence the development of AI initiatives, through access to education and training.
The rapid rise of AI technologies has the potential to transform nearly every industry, as well as our everyday lives. While there is huge scope for AI to be used for public good - reducing workload, improving healthcare, lowering our carbon footprint and more – the blistering pace of development risks leaving some communities behind.
In collaboration with Manchester Metropolitan University, the AI People’s Panel invites Manchester residents to engage in a dialogue with sector experts around the use of AI in public service delivery. In a series of open community roadshows, subject matter experts will provide the education and training needed to understand recent advances in AI and delve into the ethical issues surrounding its use. The workshops will provide practical, accessible routes for residents to learn about digital, and will empower communities to lead the development of digital solutions to local challenges.
Residents with a particularly keen interest in exploring the potential strengths and ethics of AI will be invited to join the AI People’s Panel. By providing people with the skills and confidence to thoughtfully question the use of AI in new initiatives, the People’s Panel will empower residents with a platform to question, debate, discuss, and shape the development of front-line service delivery.
We believe that education should have real-world impact, and that benefits should go beyond giving communities a voice. The AI People’s Panel will put training into action through discussion forums with industry leaders, where panel members can share insights, raise concerns, and offer suggestions on new public sector initiatives.
We hope that civil servants and sector leaders who gain wider insight on their current and developing initiatives will be inspired to shift the focus of their work to address challenges that are of most importance to local areas and challenge their thinking on the priorities for AI technology. Moving beyond the bubble of the data sector also equips leaders with a much broader range of perspectives, including from marginalised communities. For services to be truly inclusive, effective, and impactful, voices from beyond the digital ecosystem must be embraced.
“For services to be truly inclusive, effective, and impactful, voices from beyond the digital ecosystem must be embraced.”
The first roadshows will be launched in areas of Manchester identified through the Digital Exclusion Risk Index (DERI) as facing as great likelihood of digital exclusion. Training sessions will begin in April and culminate in a panel session in June, where panellists will have the opportunity to engage with researchers and innovators through a shared understanding of the challenges and benefits offered by AI.
By building a platform for residents to engage in discussions around the use of digital technology, we can shape initiatives that centre the needs, challenges, and hopes of local communities and build a truly inclusive and equal future for Manchester.
If you’d like to find out more about the project, or be the first to hear about how you can get involved, we’d love to hear from you! Head over to our contact page to get in touch.
“I think [the Panel] will be very helpful in my personal life, in every aspect.”
Rajibul, Care Worker & Member of the People’s Panel for AI
Ferdous, Resident & People’s Panel for AI member
Rajibul, Resident & People’s Panel for AI member
Hear from the People’s Panel for AI
The People’s Panel for AI could not have been successful without the engagement, time, and expertise of our wonderful community panellists.
We’ve been privileged to hear about the benefits that taking part in the People’s Panel and training sessions has brought to those involved.
The positive impact of the experience is a testament to the importance of empowering people in Manchester to embrace new skills, and creating opportunities that allow communities to meaningfully inform the services that affect their lives.
Watch the videos to learn more about the project from the perspective of those taking part. A huge thanks to Ferdous and Rajibul for sharing their stories!
