The Data and AI Civil Society Network brings together diverse civil society organisations and campaigners to share and collaborate on policy, campaigns and advocacy on data and AI.
The Network hosts various meetings focused on different aspects of data and AI policy.
Meetings are held under Chatham House rules, with notes from previous meetings made available publicly. Participants can opt out of notes being made of their comments and/or being listed as an attendee.
Meeting notes prior to April 2024 are not publicly available.
DATA BILL WORKING GROUP: Weekly meeting
DATA BILL WORKING GROUP: Weekly meeting
Fortnightly meeting to discuss data and AI policy
DATA BILL WORKING GROUP: Weekly meeting
DATA BILL WORKING GROUP: Weekly meeting
Quarterly extended meeting (1hr) for focused strategy discussions
DATA BILL WORKING GROUP: Weekly meeting
DATA BILL WORKING GROUP: Weekly meeting
Fortnightly meeting to discuss data and AI policy
Meeting with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).
The Civil Society Data and AI Network core meeting brings together trade unions, digital rights organisations, researchers, activists and charities. This meeting is the core of the Network where we can discuss current affairs in data and AI, and to seek input and collaboration for advocacy and campaigning. The core meeting also regularly hosts guest attendees from regulators, policy makers and politicians.
Connected by Data hosts the core meeting.
Meetings take place fortnightly online at 2 - 2:30/3pm on Tuesdays.
If you would like to be added to the recurring calendar invite or find out anything else about the Network please contact Adam adam@connectedbydata.org
The Data Bill working group will be a forum to deep dive into the Data (Use and Access) Bill as it makes its way through Parliament, with the intention to work on legislative strategy and advocacy as each attendee sees fit.
The Ada Lovelace Institute and Open Rights Group will be co-hosting the meetings.
Meetings take place weekly online at 2 - 2:45 on Wednesdays.
If you would like to be added to the recurring calendar invite or find out anything else about the working group, please contact Michael and/or James.
The Welfare and Tech working group is a community of researchers, campaigners and policy specialists collaborating for equitable use of technologies in welfare benefits. No specific technology knowledge is necessary, with a wide range of organisations and individuals welcome to participate.
Public Law Project and Big Brother Watch will be co-hosting the meetings.
The working group meets online every 6 weeks for 30-60 mins.
If you would like to be added to the recurring calendar invite or find out anything else about the working group, please contact Susannah and/or Caroline Selman.
A comprehensive (and humorous) regular posting, up to twice a month, pulling together all the news, views and gossip from data and AI policy land, with a UK focus.
Find useful resources here:
The Data and AI Civil Society Network brings together diverse civil society organisations and campaigners to share and collaborate on policy, campaigns and advocacy on data and AI.
Participants in the Network work for data and AI related policy and practice that is democratic and inclusive, that upholds the highest standards of human rights and brings benefits to communities, societies and the environment.
While areas of focus and tactics vary, participants recognise that data and AI policy making, narratives and practice often does not do this. We work to advocate for and amplify the voice and interests of impacted communities, groups and civil society organisations towards an equitable and socially useful approach to the design, development and deployment of AI and data driven systems.
The Network is an open access community of self-selecting organisations and individuals who have a substantial engagement on data and AI related policy, and are seeking to learn and develop this area of their work. Participants use the Network to share, coordinate and find collaborators on relevant work within and beyond the Network.
Conversations are held in confidence and mutual respect, with the aim to encourage generosity and candidness among participants and the range of views present.
There are no formal joining or participation requirements and new participants are welcome to join the Network.
If you would like to find out more and participate in the Network please contact Adam at adam@connectedbydata.org.
As a human rights policy organisation, it’s been incredibly valuable to join the Network. Data protection is a relatively new policy area for us, so the ability to be able to connect with like-minded organisations and learn more has been helpful to ensure our work is aligned to the rest of the policy landscape.
– Adam Freedman, Policy, Research & Influencing Manager, National AIDS Trust
The TUC has found the Network to be extremely useful in terms of sharing information, identifying potential for collaborative projects, and pooling knowledge and experience. We appreciate the spirit of openness, transparency and support.
– Mary Towers, AI Project Lead, Trades Union Congress
As an independent research institute we aim to put the voices of those affected by data and AI at the heart of everything we do. The Network has been a brilliant aid to this, bringing together a diverse set of groups with a common interest in making these increasingly ubiquitous technologies work for their communities and for society as a whole.
– Matt Davies, UK Public Policy Lead, Ada Lovelace Institute
The Data and AI Civil Society Network has been invaluable to me. As a researcher from a legal background working on data and AI policy from within a public law charity, I didn’t have instant connections to organisations or individuals with a specialism in data and technology. The Network has facilitated these connections and provided a ‘go to’ destination for me to direct questions, thoughts and ideas in a supportive and collaborative environment.
– Mia Leslie, Research Fellow, Public Law Project
The Data and AI Civil Society Network has been invaluable in fostering collaboration and knowledge-sharing among diverse civil society organisations and campaigners.
– Susannah Copson, Legal and Policy Officer, Big Brother Watch
This network has been an invaluable source of both information and encouragement for grappling with the many impacts of data and digital technology on society. There is a rich diversity of expertise but also a very welcoming and positive collegial tone to the calls. They are also an opportunity to learn from and/or share insights on the most topical issues and latest civil society research. Last, but not least, there is much encouragement in finding common cause with others in what can otherwise seem an overwhelming set of issues and policy challenges.
– Simon Cross, Research, Engagement & Parliamentary Liaison for the Bishop of Oxford