Where and When: In person at the People's History Museum and online, Thursday 20th March 10:30 - 4:15.

There is a lot of attention on Artificial Intelligence at the moment. But what is it? What might be its benefits and what might be its harms? As we work to remove disabling barriers in society how might AI effect this? There is already important work happening to answer these questions so we wanted to gather together and share the state of the art expertise. We are delighted to have as our keynote speaker: Dr Abeba Birhane

Programme: 

10:30 Registration and morning refreshments.
11:00 Welcome 
11:15 Keynote Address from Dr Abeba Birhane 
12:15 Break
12:30 Quick presentations - Three 10 minute presentations with time for Q&A
1:15 Lunch
2:00 Panel Discussion and questions from audience 
3:00 Break 
3:15 Next steps after today – looking to the future
4:00 Closing remarks
4:15 End

Guests:

Dr Abeba Birhane: founded and leads the Trinity College Dublin (TCD) AI Accountability Lab (AIAL). Dr Birhane received her PhD in 2022 and is currently a Research Fellow at the School of Computer Science and Statistics in Trinity College Dublin. Her research focuses on AI accountability, with a particular focus on audits of AI models and training datasets – work for which she was featured in Wired UK and TIME on the TIME100 Most Influential People in AI list in 2023. Dr. Birhane also served on the United Nations Secretary-General’s AI Advisory Body and currently serves at the AI Advisory Council in Ireland. 

John Chadfield: is a tech worker and trade unionist that founded the United Tech & Allied Workers (UTAW) national branch of the Communication Workers Union. John has been actively organising in tech for a decade and has helped establish a foothold in an industry that isn't used to workers collectivising to stand up for their rights.

Marc Goblot: after many years in tech leadership in the creative industries and at Accenture, Marc decided to combine his lived experience as father and advocate for his autistic, learning disabled and ADHD daughter, a late-diagnosed neurodivergent himself, various disability causes, with his digital expertise independently. He founded Tech For Disability, to raise the profile of a disability and neurodivergent startup ecosystem, sits on Responsible AI, Inclusive Work, Health & Care committees at the Royal Society of Arts, Neurodiverse IT & AI groups with the British Computing Society, is a director at We and AI, and advises government departments & the Disability Unit on Assistive tech, AI, and how it can support disabled and neurodivergent people. He is wrapping this into a new social tech startup, the Digital Diversity Living Lab, to conduct accessible research, promote advocacy and co-design inclusive innovation solutions in joint ventures, drawing on a network of specialist expertise, academic research and lived experience.

Steven Watson: is an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Education, University of Cambridge. He is also co-founder of the University of Cambridge knowledge enterprise spinout, Cambridge Global Knowledge Nexus. His research uses transdisciplinary approaches, social systems theory, cybernetics; his current focus is on the philosophy and sociology of technology, and in particular the role of generative AI in organisations, education, and society. While his research is strongly theoretical, he integrates this with contextual empirical research and development. His previous professions include secondary school mathematics teacher and telecommunications engineer. He holds degrees in Engineering from the University of Cambridge, a masters in education from the Open University and a PhD Education from the University of Nottingham.

Greater Manchester Digital Inclusion Team:

Data Adamia: is the Digital Inclusion Policy and Projects Coordinator for Greater Manchester Combined Authority, focused on fixing the digital divide through partnership working, maximising social value, and tackling digital inequalities.

Dr Rochelle Taylor: is the Data Science Course Leader, Department of Computing and Maths at Manchester Metropolitan University AI Research Team

Shi Yun: is a researcher at Manchester Metropolitan University AI Research Team and worked on the development of a fair framework for responsibility and accountability in data-driven and AI systems.

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When you register you will receive a link that allows hybrid online attendance (if you cannot make it in person).

Accessibility:

At the venue:

• Accessible / gender neutral toilet available
• Changing Places toilet on-site.
• Quiet room available
• Wheelchair accessible
• Travel information:
• Local travel expenses can be covered - receipts required - ask for details.
• PAs available for general assistance - we can provide a dedicated PA on request.
• BSL interpreters provided for the event - please request additional BSL interpreter when booking.

Covid precautions:

• Medical grade air filter in use
• Masks are welcome
• Lip reading and standard masks available on entry
• We encourage everyone to do a COVID test on the day to check for a negative result. We will repay you the cost of 1 COVID test per person available on request -  receipt required. If you test positive, you are welcome to attend online and we hope you feel better soon!

Online:

• Captions and BSL interpreters available
• We can practice Zoom with you in advance.

Please let us know if you have other access needs.