iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Reposted by Jeni Tennison

Connected by Data @connectedbydata.org · 21/09/2026

Summer’s gone; parliament is back. In this blog for @futuregovforum.bsky.social, @jenitennison.com & @gavinfreeguard.com assert a digital, devolved state needs to be deliberate - and democratic. 🔗 futuregovforum.substack.com/p/a-digital-...

futuregovforum.substack.com

A digital, devolved state needs to be deliberate – and democratic

By Gavin Freeguard and Jeni Tennison

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Reposted by Jeni Tennison

Gavin Freeguard @gavinfreeguard.com · 18/09/2026

Any attempts to rewire the UK state through devolution will founder and fail if public servants can't share what they've been working on and how. @jenitennison.com and I called for a loud renunciation of the ban in our @futuregovforum.bsky.social piece yesterday

futuregovforum.substack.com

A digital, devolved state needs to be deliberate – and democratic

By Gavin Freeguard and Jeni Tennison

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Reposted by Jeni Tennison

Diane Coyle @dianecoyle1859.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

I have a new blog post with Mihai Codreanu and Arthur Turrell about why AI use makes it important to understand what’s happening in households as well as the ‘official’ economy. www.bennettschool.cam.ac.uk/blog/ai-hous...

bennettschool.cam.ac.uk

AI, household time, and productivity - Bennett School of Public Policy

AI is changing how households spend their time, from managing finances and accessing public services to education and menu planning. Diane Coyle, Mihai Codreanu and Arthur Turrell argue that understan...

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Reposted by Jeni Tennison

The Future Governance Forum (FGF) @futuregovforum.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Often the thinking around devolution simply assumes that our current data, digital systems and AI will exist and work. But to properly meet the needs of a devolved and democratic state, we must deliberately design these systems. 👏@gavinfreeguard.com @jenitennison.com shorturl.at/iguyG

futuregovforum.substack.com

A digital, devolved state needs to be deliberate – and democratic

By Gavin Freeguard and Jeni Tennison

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Reposted by Jeni Tennison

Gavin Freeguard @gavinfreeguard.com · 17/09/2026

There are lots of big (& good!) ideas on 'rewiring the state' - but we can't assume the tech underpinning it will just work & we need to bring the public in A digital, devolved state needs to be deliberate - and democratic Delighted to write for @futuregovforum.bsky.social with @jenitennison.com

futuregovforum.substack.com

A digital, devolved state needs to be deliberate – and democratic

By Gavin Freeguard and Jeni Tennison

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Reposted by Jeni Tennison

blair @blairaf.com · 09/09/2026

If you're interested in working on trans issues in AI policy or equity/justice in AI more generally, I'm still looking for PhD students! Email me if you'd like to apply

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Reposted by Jeni Tennison

Owen Boswarva @owenboswarva.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

"You might be surprised that this guidance hasn't substantially changed from what we've given in previous resources …" One in the eye for UK Gov't bods who have been pointing to CC's recent work on AI as an argument for rolling back open licensing of public sector information #techpolicy #opendata

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Reposted by Jeni Tennison

Connected by Data @connectedbydata.org · 04/09/2026

🚨 PAIRSx Public Sector 5th Nov 2026 🚨 🚨 Open for submissions 🚨 If you’re working in and around public and public sector worker involvement on public sector data, digital or AI, we would love to hear about your work! Find out more at

pairs.site

PAIRSx Public Sector 2026 | PAIRS: Participatory AI Research & Practice Symposium

A space to present research and case studies on the state of the art in participatory development and governance of AI, and to build stronger connections across the field.

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Reposted by Jeni Tennison

Dr. Elinor Carmi @elinorcarmi.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

It is that simple.... "a new Technology in Schools Coalition, made up of students, educators, parent leaders, elected officials, advocates, union partners and experts in the field will convene to assess the impact of the moratorium and limited pilots". www.nyc.gov/mayors-offic...

nyc.gov

Mayor Mamdani and Chancellor Samuels Put Students First with Nation’s Broadest Generative AI Moratorium in Schools

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Reposted by Jeni Tennison

Alex Hanna @alexhanna.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

"There's an ineffable aspect to my favorite pieces of software where I don't think of it is as feature matrix but rather as an interface made by a human for humans that's a joy to use. And when you build software with AI, it leads to worse software." brettcodes.com/im-done-usin...

brettcodes.com

I'm done using AI

Why I'm stopping using AI for coding (and anything else) after using it earnestly for a year and coming to understand the harms it causes on personal, societal, and environmental levels.

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Jeni Tennison @jenitennison.com · 29/08/2026

Counterpoint to James' deliberatively provocative piece: Hugging Face were unable to use US AI to counter OpenAI's cyber attack because (outside internal use and favoured customers) they have guardrails against cyber security uses.

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Jeni Tennison @jenitennison.com · 29/08/2026

I'm struck by how genuinely beneficial / public interest uses of AI are arising from applying classic machine learning, not LLMs. For example, assisting surgeons: www.theguardian.com/technology/2...

theguardian.com

London neurosurgeons perform first successful AI-assisted operation to remove brain tumour

Surgeons aided by real-time analysis of camera footage that identified critical anatomy in brain to be avoided

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Reposted by Jeni Tennison

Hetan Shah @hetanshah.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

It’s really important that independent organisations can hold Government to account. I’m on the Board of @nao.org.uk which does this and we are looking for two new Board members. Could you help spread the word so we can get the best possible field of candidates roles.saxbam.com/advert-detai...

NAO
National Audit Office
National Audit
Office
Non-Executive Directors

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Reposted by Jeni Tennison

United Tech & Allied Workers @utaw.tech · 21/08/2026

Our friends at @data-cwu.bsky.social in Ireland are hosting a Workers' AI Counter Summit in October, register below and we'll see you there!

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Jeni Tennison @jenitennison.com · 21/08/2026

The press is always so negative about AI. Why oh why wasn't this written up as "AI reduces patient caseload, saves GP surgeries time for those who need it"? www.theguardian.com/society/2026...

theguardian.com

Frustrated GP patients hang up as Yorkshire accent baffles AI receptionist

‘Emma’ the Rotherham chatbot has 17 languages says AI firm – but health watchdog says system struggling with local ‘twangs’

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Jeni Tennison @jenitennison.com · 20/08/2026

Not the main point of @bm.wel.by's piece, but this sent me on a bit of a jag about the importance of ritual and occasion-making in public services and how we can lose that through digitisation.

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Reposted by Jeni Tennison

Creative Commons @creativecommons.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

The recent emergence of generative artificial intelligence has had a phenomenal impact on cultural heritage institutions, threatening their economic stability and clashing with the values and norms of the commons. Read more and learn how to get involved in our newest blog post! buff.ly/KrNeMYU

creativecommons.org

Open Heritage in the Age of Artificial Intelligence - Creative Commons

Creative Commons shares how the rise of generative artificial intelligence has affected cultural heritage institutions and open sharing.

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Jeni Tennison @jenitennison.com · 13/08/2026

I dunno if anyone else is watching Kanishka Narayan's TikTok feed as avidly as me, but he's developing a nice little theme of taking a bite of food while looking thoughtful.

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Reposted by Jeni Tennison

Gavin Freeguard @gavinfreeguard.com · 11/08/2026

According to @dsonic.bsky.social over on The Other Place (h/t a civil society colleague), the DCMS ministerial briefs have been announced Steph Peacock (who shadowed data/digital infrastructure in opposition) gets GDS, not Ian Murray (who had been minister for GDS while at DSIT)

A screenshot of a tweet by Doniya Soni-Clark which reads:

Confirmed DCMS briefs!

Ian Murray MP, Minister of State

Responsible for:
• Media (including BBC Charter Review)
• Online harms and misinformation
• Creative industries
• Telecommunications, digital infrastructure and Ofcom
• International

Stephanie Peacock MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State

Responsible for:
• Sports
• Ceremonials
• Tourism
• Office for the Impact Economy
• Government Digital Service (Digital Products & Digital Transformation)
• Place - overview of DMCS’s overall impact and presence in communities and responsibility for place based programmes including the allocation of arts funding in Arts Everywhere and Town and City of Culture.

Baroness Twycross, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State

Responsible for:
• Heritage, including world and living heritage
• Covid commemoration
• Appointments
• ALBs (general oversight and reform)
• Honours
• Corporate Minister

A screenshot of a tweet by Doniya Soni-Clark (continued) which reads:

Ruth Mackenzie, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State

Responsible for:
• Arts Council and sponsorship
• Museums and cultural property (including the museums funding in Arts Everywhere)
• Libraries

Vicky Foxcroft, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State

Responsible for:
• Youth
• Civil Society
• Gambling
• National Lottery
• Digital Inclusion and Skills

Baroness Lloyd, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State - Minister for Space, Cyber and Regulatory Reform joint with BSIT

Responsible for:
• National Cyber Security
• Government Cyber Security
• Spectrum Negotiations (with Minister Murray. POs will provide further guidance)

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Reposted by Jeni Tennison

Jonty Wareing @jonty.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

I always suspected a UK government would eventually reverse course on "coding in public". So I've been backing up all government code. For six years. Today I finally generated a report on what has been deleted. Its much worse than I realised. github.com/uk-gov-mirro...

Deleted UK Government code repositories

Total deleted repositories: 1526
Organisations affected: 56

See RECENTLY_DELETED.md for the most recently deleted repositories.

Organisation Deleted Repos % Deleted
hmrc 195 9.8%
nhsdigital 169 33.8%
SkillsFundingAgency 154 22.7%
informatics-lab 154 100.0%
UKHomeOffice 101 7.5%
ministryofjustice 74 2.8%
ONSdigital 66 4.3%
moj-analytical-services 65 75.6%
ukwa 47 46.1%
dwp 46 6.7%
UKGovernmentBEIS 43 27.4%

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Jeni Tennison @jenitennison.com · 06/08/2026

My partner reading this Guardian article: "They turned off the safeguards, then didn't monitor it... it's like 'I took my hands off the steering wheel and the car crashed', big fucking surprise!" www.theguardian.com/technology/2...

theguardian.com

AI models shock UK testers by using fake identities to try to trick developers

AI Security Institute says OpenAI and Anthropic models went rogue during a cybersecurity test and showed a new type of risk

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Jeni Tennison @jenitennison.com · 04/08/2026

New Tiktok post from Kanishka Narayan which curiously contains details of investments (into AI hardware/chips) that aren't mirrored by a press releases on gov.uk as far as I can see. vm.tiktok.com/ZN8dDhWFd/

vm.tiktok.com

TikTok - Make Your Day

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Jeni Tennison @jenitennison.com · 02/08/2026

22yo home for a couple of weeks has just finished playing Beastro. It's a mix of cosy farming/fishing/cooking and deck-building monster combat, the latter particularly enjoyable. A little buggy, but some neat puzzle elements and fun design. On Game Pass. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beastro...

en.wikipedia.org

Beastro (video game) - Wikipedia

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Jeni Tennison @jenitennison.com · 02/08/2026

I wonder how much the AI cult dynamics described in Cory Doctorow's thread, and Nikhil Suresh's post that he quotes, are also playing out in govt departments. When it's public money, we really need meaningful outcome-focused metrics and thoughtful evaluations of public sector AI adoption.

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Jeni Tennison @jenitennison.com · 31/07/2026

Interesting and thought-provoking post about government correspondence. What if people were asked to score their satisfaction with the response (plus an open field for comments), and that were used as a quality measure?

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Reposted by Jeni Tennison

Erin Reed @erininthemorning.com · 31/07/2026

1. Amnesty International has withstood threats from death squads and dictators. But it could not stand up to JK Rowling and the anti-trans movement she finances. It has apologized for calling those groups "anti-rights" after legal threats. Subscribe to support our journalism.

erininthemorning.com

Amnesty International UK Caves To JK Rowling, Issues Apology For Calling Anti-Trans Groups "Anti-Rights"

The organization has stood up to dictators and death squads, but Rowling and the UK's anti-speech laws were apparently too much.

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Reposted by Jeni Tennison

TACC @tacc.org.uk · 31/07/2026

@translucent.org.uk have recently released their latest report. "Sixty-one of the sixty-two Unitary Authorities responded to our FOI request – Only ONE complaint was found." Trans inclusion is a non-issue. It is a manufactured moral panic, which is an anti-rights tactic.

translucent.org.uk

Four Years, Seven Surveys, Four Complaints: What Our FOI Data Actually Shows

Four Years, Seven Surveys, Four Complaints: What our FOI data actually shows about trans women using single sex spaces.

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Jeni Tennison @jenitennison.com · 31/07/2026

So I'm pretty excited by the recognition that traditional consultation doesn't cut it any more, in the Rewiring the State Cabinet Statement. 1/3 www.gov.uk/government/p...

We agreed to replace the current model of consultation by default with new and modern forms of public participation. This includes considering where performative statutory duties to consult can be revoked and how we can more actively bring the public into the policy-making process instead. This recognises that local leaders are better equipped to link public opinion and civil society to policy making.

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Hetan Shah @hetanshah.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

Very good from @jenwilliamsft.bsky.social on how devolution of power also needs a local press with capability of scrutiny. Will this rebuild over time in conjunction with devolution (same as eg skills in local government) or is it on an entirely separate rhythm? www.ft.com/content/26da...

ft.com

Mayoral scrutiny is a pressing issue

As Burnham devolves power, remember much of the country lacks Manchester’s media ecosystem

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Reposted by Jeni Tennison

Eryk Salvaggio @eryk.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

The “losing control” narrative creates the loss of control. Nobody is losing control of an emerging intelligence. They’re redirecting their own agency to it, as a way of diffusing responsibility, but the self-perpetuated intelligence myth has them convinced they have no choice.

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Jeni Tennison @jenitennison.com · 29/07/2026

My new rule to limit my Tiktok viewing is I'm only allowed to watch until the first Andy Burnham video.

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Jeni Tennison @jenitennison.com · 28/07/2026

🚨PAIRSx Public Sector 5th Nov 2026 🚨 🚨Open for submissions 🚨 If you’re working in and around public and public sector worker involvement on public sector data, digital or AI, we would love to hear about your work! Find out more at pairs.site/pairsx-publi...

pairs.site

PAIRSx Public Sector 2026 | PAIRS: Participatory AI Research & Practice Symposium

A space to present research and case studies on the state of the art in participatory development and governance of AI, and to build stronger connections across the field.

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Reposted by Jeni Tennison

Owen Boswarva @owenboswarva.bsky.social · 25/07/2026

Closing science and technology department risks fragmenting vital policy areas, says Committee Chair committees.parliament.uk/committee/13... response from Chi Onwurah MP to the decision to close DSIT It sounds as if the SIT Committee expects to carry on with its work, anyway #govtech #techpolicy

"It will also take time and resources away from important policy work in fast-moving fields. My committee has heard the concerns expressed by many in the sector about this move, and in the autumn I expect that we will look into the impact of closing DSIT, and how science, innovation and technology can best be coordinated across government, in the absence of a dedicated department.

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Reposted by Jeni Tennison

Steph Gray @lesteph.com · 23/07/2026

I like the granularity of this calculator by @dantaylorwatt.com of your personal AI environmental footprint. I find the moral panic about AI on ecological grounds a bit tiresome so it's good to have some apparently well-sourced data to work with: www.dantaylorwatt.com/ai/ai-enviro...

dantaylorwatt.com

AI Environmental Impact Calculator

Estimate the energy, carbon and water footprint of your AI use: chatbots, image generation, video generation and agentic coding. Based on published 2025-26 measurements.

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Jeni Tennison @jenitennison.com · 23/07/2026

Exhibit A: British Gas explains how it's the customers' fault that they're cutting 1,300 call centre staff - people just prefer chat bots! Exhibit B: Trustpilot summary of reviews of British Gas customer service: frustration of being forced into online channels and unable to speak to a person.

But Chris O’Shea, the company’s chief executive, insisted that the changes were being made because customers preferred to take their queries to digital channels rather than people.

“AI isn’t driving these particular job reductions; that’s mainly due to changing customer behaviour,” he said. “What we’re seeing just now is over 90% of our customers actually use digital channels in the first instance, and we’ve seen a 20% reduction in customer calls, so this simply reflects the changing customer behaviour.

“We’ve got to reflect the changes in customer behaviour. We expect to grow more jobs around our digital interface, and maybe having fewer people on the phones.”

Customers consistently note ambiguous experiences with customer service, with many praising the helpfulness, professionalism, and clear communication from agents and engineers, who explained everything and resolved issues quickly. Reviewers appreciated the ease of booking appointments, prompt confirmations, and the availability of out-of-hours support. However, a significant number of consumers expressed frustration with the inability to speak to a person, being redirected to online channels, and a lack of follow-through on promised callbacks. Many also reported issues with conflicting information, unaddressed complaints, and a perceived lack of care or understanding from customer service representatives, leading to prolonged unresolved problems and financial concerns.

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Reposted by Jeni Tennison

ai@cam @ai.cam.ac.uk · 23/07/2026

NEW REPORT 🚨📚 What does the public want from #AI in local government? Our new report draws on public dialogue with Cambridgeshire residents. The conversation is changing. The question is no longer whether to use AI, but where it can make a real difference. ➡️ www.ai.cam.ac.uk/reports/publ...

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Jeni Tennison @jenitennison.com · 23/07/2026

Agree with this. The (then) Science and Technology Committee existed prior to DSIT and should continue after it, including scrutiny of public sector adoption of digital, data and AI, the responsibility for which is now distributed across departments. committees.parliament.uk/committee/13...

committees.parliament.uk

Role - Science, Innovation and Technology Committee - Committees - UK Parliament

The Science, Innovation and Technology Select Committee is appointed by the House of Commons to examine the expenditure, administration and policy of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technol...

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Jeni Tennison @jenitennison.com · 23/07/2026

Waiting with bated breath to see the actual responsibilities of both Ian Murray and Kanishka Narayan. I guess there could still be junior ministerial appointments to come? www.gov.uk/government/m... www.gov.uk/government/m...

gov.uk

Minister of State - GOV.UK

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Reposted by Jeni Tennison

Rachel Coldicutt @rachelcoldicutt.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

So. is Ian Murray the only "digital" minister in DDCMS? www.gov.uk/government/n... because that seems like quite a big brief for someone with no tech experience till Feb this year and makes zero sense for online harms and digital govt to sit in the same brief

A strengthened Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) will bring together the current DCMS remit with responsibility for digital foundations, digital transformation, digital inclusion and skills, information resilience and online harms. This provides critical scale and recognises that culture and technology are inseparable drivers of our modern economy, while bringing coherence to the online safety agenda. It also emphasises our commitment that bringing together levers to support youth policy online and in real life will build a stronger package of support for young people.

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Data & Society @datasociety.bsky.social · 22/07/2026

Opportunity alert! In partnership with @rooseveltinstitute.org, we’re excited to launch the Good Life Residents Program on AI, for emerging scholars & practitioners examining how public policy can shape investment in generative AI. Learn more & apply by Aug 12! rooseveltinstitute.org/careers/good...

rooseveltinstitute.org

Good Life Resident Program

The Good Life Residents Program is a six-month initiative focused on developing new leaders and elevating bold ideas centered around six economic policy priorities for the Roosevelt Institute, as part...

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Jeni Tennison @jenitennison.com · 21/07/2026

Now seeing evidence that the zero sense move (of GDS to DDCMS) is what's happening. Which makes zero sense. If you're going to hold back service transformation through a MOG change, the end result of that change has to be worth the disruption.

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Jeni Tennison @jenitennison.com · 21/07/2026

I have to assume that GDS will be moving back to Cabinet Office (because the alternative move to DDCMS makes zero sense). I guess we'll know when we see the relevant junior ministerial appointments – who will have Digital Government in their remit and in which department?

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transformgovtalks.bsky.social @transformgovtalks.bsky.social · 13/07/2026

🚨 6PM NEXT WEDS 29 JULY 🚨 - Charlie Browne (Hansard) and Michael Kibedi on ‘Beyond and Between Our Screens: how design ethnography is informing the evolution of Hansard’s technology’ - Katie Thorpe on “Churn!” - a board game about making good policy against the odds Join us! luma.com/5ux09nfv

luma.com

TransformGov Talks: July 2026 · Luma

Charlie Browne, Managing Editor: Hansard, UK Parliament (House of Commons) and Michael Kibedi, User Researcher, UK Parliament (Digital Service), on ‘Beyond and…

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Reposted by Jeni Tennison

Connected by Data @connectedbydata.org · 10/07/2026

Our @timdavies.org.uk is advocating for including public voices in the future of AI governance. Read our white paper on a Citizens’ Track on AI here: citizens-track.org/2026/report/ @iswe-foundation.bsky.social @sheffielduni.bsky.social @shefcmi.bsky.social @adalovelaceinst.bsky.social @pairs.site

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Participatory AI Research & Practice Symposium @pairs.site · 10/07/2026

Meet Kiito Shilongo. Kiito is one of our PAIRS team in Geneva this week, advocating for people from all places to have a say in how AI is governed. This is why we are advocating for a #CitizensTrackonAI. Read our white paper on a Citizens’ Track on AI here: citizens-track.org/2026/report/

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Ben Goldacre @bengoldacre.bsky.social · 10/07/2026

HISTORIC MOMENT Today at 14:40 Dr Mark Russell from KCL pressed the button to execute the first ever job on the new OpenSAFELY service. Until today, OpenSAFELY was COVID only. Now we are open to critical analyses that improve all patient care, on GP records, securely, at scale. PICS! THREAD!

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