iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

You're quick! Got in before we'd got our own post out 😆

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More details, including the programme, the open call for proposals, and registration, coming soon! For now, make sure you're signed up for updates. tictec.mysociety.org/tictec-updat...

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Produced by our #TICTeC team, Digital Democracy Edinburgh is a collaboration between mySociety, @scottishgovernment.bsky.social, @edfuturesinstitute.bsky.social, @edinburgh-uni.bsky.social and @ai4cihub.bsky.social - and the official follow on from last year's Digital Democracy The Hague summit.

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mysociety.org @mysociety.org · 11/09/2026

For now, just save the date & sign up for updates at tictec.mysociety.org/tictec-updat... - lots more to come about this global summit on how high-quality deliberative participation can be enhanced through digital tech, in democracies around the world. Hope to see you in Edinburgh! #TICTeC

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The closing date for this job is Tuesday, 15 September - so better get to it if you'd like to apply! Full details on the job, and how to apply, at: apply.workable.com/mysociety/j/... NO AGENCIES, THANKS.

We're looking for a collaborative, efficient, organised, resilient, kind, experienced, proactive User Support Officer at mySociety

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mysociety.org @mysociety.org · 08/09/2026

Did you get today's newsletter, all about the recent additions to TheyWorkForYou? There are lots! If not, you can read it here (and subscribe top left of that page): mailchi.mp/mysociety.or...

An MP stands to contribute to a debate in the House of Commons

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mysociety.org @mysociety.org · 07/09/2026

We got @alexparsons.bsky.social to describe all the improvements we've been making to TheyWorkForYou lately - and there are heaps! Want to know what they are? Make sure you're subscribed to our newsletter before lunchtime tomorrow - you can do that here: eepurl.com/gOEVFj

An MP in a coral coloured dress, hand out, stands up to ask a question during Prime Ministers Question Time

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mysociety.org @mysociety.org · 02/09/2026

Yeah, we understand the concerns. But ultimately we're in support of their aim "to advocate for policies grounded in evidence", and their use of FOI has all been to uncover facts.

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mysociety.org @mysociety.org · 02/09/2026

Missed our most recent newsletter? It was a good'un! But never fret, you can read it here: mailchi.mp/mysociety.or... (and subscribe top left of that page so you never miss another one!)

Text: Ready for our close-up

This isn’t the first time our sites have played a part in a TV campaign. In October 2023, we spoke to WhatDoTheyKnow user Eleanor Shaikh, who’d uncovered crucial evidence about the Post Office scandal.

In January ’24, the extent of the issue hit the public consciousness via TV series Mr Bates vs the Post Office. You can hear Eleanor explain how she used FOI in this ten minute podcast.

George Martin Empty Homes Spotter
And all the way back in 2011, we built the app for George Martin’s empty homes campaign, the Great British Property Scandal.

That programme is now off air, but you can read more about how we adapted our FixMyStreet codebase so people could report empty buildings in their area.

A pair of blue disposable medical gloves lie on top of a leaaflet marked 'Coronavirus stay at home, protect the NHS, save lives.
Trust the evidence

Photos: promo images from Mr Bates Vs the Post Office and George Martin's Empty Homes, plus an image of blue medical disposable gloves beside a leaflet about coronavirus.

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mysociety.org @mysociety.org · 02/09/2026

Our newsletter goes out this lunch time, looking at the part #FOI played in two very different, but both vital, investigations: the toxic waste dumps in @mchshe.bsky.social's "Buried", and the Trust The Evidence project uncovering facts around the pandemic. Are you subscribed? eepurl.com/gOEVFj

Toxic waste barrels dumped in the overgrowth

A pair of blue, disposable medical gloves on top of a leaflet about coronavirus

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mysociety.org @mysociety.org · 25/08/2026

If you're organised, proactive, efficient, resilient, sensitive to nuance and have experience in providing excellent user support, come and join the mySociety team! Find more details and apply at apply.workable.com/mysociety/j/...

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mysociety.org @mysociety.org · 12/08/2026

Thanks! We've actually seen a few instances of this, so we suspect it's on our side. Please could you contact us via www.whatdotheyknow.com/help/contact so we can investigate further with your specific account details?

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And this is just the start of a much longer project - one which will result in a new online scrutiny tool. To keep up with everything, make sure you're subscribed to our newsletter at eepurl.com/gOEVFj and check the 'Artifical Intelligence' box.

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That was a speedy recap of a more complex and nuanced conversation. You can read a more in-depth summary at mysociety.org/AI-scrutiny.

Read the whole conversation on our blog - mysociety.org/AI-scrutiny
and...

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We have to come together to challenge patterns of harm, and negative impacts on individuals - with sector-wide collaboration to share knowledge, cases, challenges and successes.

So, what would we like to see?
4. We need practical ways to use that evidence to challenge individual decisions and wider patterns of harm.

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The existence of an evaluation does not necessarily mean that meaningful scrutiny has taken place. Tech suppliers may assess their own products using benchmarks that make little sense to the wider public. Civil society also has a role to play here in shaping these evaluations.

So, what would we like to see?
3. Evaluations should examine real-world outcomes...
...rather than relying on abstract benchmarks.

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The time for scrutiny is *before* a system is up and running, not after it has started having potentially unforeseen consequences!

So, what would we like to see?
2. We need information early enough for people to influence decisions... not after a system has been introduced

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We need coherent, consistent data. The UK government’s Algorithmic Transparency Recording Standard is widely seen as good practice, and could provide valuable information if used consistently, but we know that not every relevant system appears on the associated public hub.

So, what would we like to see?
1. Public bodies should report what systems they're developing and using... as structured data

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It's exhausting keeping up with everything you need to do to keep authorities accountable - and that's where civil society needs to step in and help.

3. People should not need to become experts in every system affecting them in order to be protected. In our push for scrutiny, we must not transfer too much responsibility onto communities, especially those already vulnerable.

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This is a point worth considering - because all those 'little' or 'unofficial' uses of AI in the office may actually be affecting decision-making processes that have a real-life impact on service users.

2. Big procurements aren't the whole AI story - staff may be using generative AI for drafting, research, transcription or coding, without the public body having coherent oversight of this usage.

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Information on government use of AI is fragmented, if it exists at all - and there's no one single mechanism to gather data on this use.

1. Existing routes to transparency aren't enough. There's currently no way to build a comprehensive picture of which systems are being developed, trialled or used across government.

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Thanks to everyone who joined us to have this useful and important conversation! Read on to see what was discussed.

We brought together experts from academia, law, journalism, technology and public policy. Here's what they said >>>

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...which systems are being deployed, where they are being used, how they are affecting people's lives, and who is accountable for the decisions they make.

- what AI systems are public bodies using?
- how are those systems actually affecting people?
And so...

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mysociety.org @mysociety.org · 06/08/2026

Government departments at every level are deploying AI systems - and we need to be able to ask the basic questions, like...

Government is rapidly deploying AI systems...and we think it should be easier to ask the basic questions, like...

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⏰️ Nagging feeling there's something you should be doing? Maybe there is! Applications close TOMORROW for our Service Manager vacancy: apply.workable.com/mysociety/j/...

Text: Digital service manager for user-facing operational support of mySociety's online services

Photo: Hands using a laptop, with translucent avatars of documents floating above the keyboard

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mysociety.org @mysociety.org · 05/08/2026

Lots of campaigns and causes send their supporters to WriteToThem, so they can contact their MP or other relevant politicians. Now we've made some improvements to this free service. www.mysociety.org/2026/07/29/i...

Running a campaign? There's an easy way to get your supporters to contact their MPs...and it's free.

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mysociety.org @mysociety.org · 04/08/2026

In a challenging global environment, we're making a difference. To find out more, read our full impact report at www.mysociety.org/impact-repor...

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councilclimatescorecards.uk

Find out more on how councils must lead on action to adapt to increasingly frequent and more intense heatwaves, floods and wildfires: councilclimatescorecards.uk/themes/adapt...

Adaptation

Want to know how effective UK councils’ climate plans and strategies are? Check out the Council Climate Scorecards to see your Council’s score and how it compares to others across the UK.

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Have you been feeling these heatwaves? That may depend on how well your council is doing on adaptation & resilience to climate change - something you can find out on the Council Climate Action Scorecards. Isaac from @climateemergencyuk.bsky.social's here to tell you more.

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It can be hard to know which of your elected representatives to contact, especially where you have more than one council, or perhaps live in an area with a devolved parliament. Improvements to WriteToThem make it easier to get your message to the right place: www.mysociety.org/2026/07/29/i...

Need to contact a politician...but which one? WriteToThem helps you get your message to the right place.

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