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AI@Cam

Organiser: University of Cambridge

What: Launched in 2024 to support the University in delivering its vision for world-leading AI research, innovative AI education, and collaborations that translate AI research to real-world benefits for business, civil society and policy.

The aims are to:

  • Leverage the University’s vibrant interdisciplinary research community alongside partnerships between researchers, practitioners, and affected communities that embed equity and inclusion
  • Develop new platforms for innovation and knowledge transfer
  • Deliver innovative interdisciplinary teaching and learning for students, researchers, and professionals
  • Build strong connections between the University and national AI priorities

When? Monthly events in (and near) Cambridge

Read more and subscribe: ai.cam.ac.uk

AI Institute

Organiser: AI Institute

What: The AI Institute’s mission is to foster the successful adoption of Responsible AI within associations and membership bodies. This Institute exclusively supports executive directors and the senior leadership team. The comprehensive guide includes:

  • Key Discussion Questions: Frameworks to help align AI use with your organisation’s cultural values and risk tolerance.
  • Ethical and Regulatory Insights: Strategies to ensure compliance with emerging AI regulations and mitigate risks like inherent bias and data breaches.
  • Practical Implementation Guidance: Best practices for human oversight, staff training, and integrating AI responsibly across departments.

When? Sign up for all the details

Read more and subscribe: https://www.aiinstitute.cloud/

AI in Government (apolitical)

Organiser: apolitical

What: The apolitical’s AI in government community. Sign up to access to conversations, insights, ideas and resources on the use of AI in government from peers across the global public service. This community is open to all Apolitical members and being part of the group includes the following:

  • A community calendar, where you can submit your relevant AI in government events and access other events from community members
  • A resource hub, where you can submit relevant AI resources and access resources from other community members
  • Upon joining, members will receive regular AI Community Digest emails

apolitical also has a host of other relevant communities you can join including a local government, digital transformation in government, procurement innovation and many more

When? Sign up for all the details

Read more and subscribe: https://apolitical.co/communities/ai-in-government

Coram Innovation Incubator

Organiser: Coram

What: The Coram Innovation Incubator (CII) is a space and vehicle for generating, testing and scaling (i.e. incubating) new approaches such as AI, to the most important and intractable challenges in children’s services as defined by the providers of those services.

The CII benefits from the expertise, capacity and know-how of our external partners, Ernst & Young and Microsoft, as well as its members (City, University of London, Hertfordshire County Council, Grosvenor Hart Homes, London Borough of Bromley, London of Havering, North Yorkshire County Council, London Borough of Redbridge and Sentinel.)

Bringing together groups of local authorities and public bodies that share a common challenge, leveraging private sector partners and combining the collective wisdom and ideas to create and test ground-breaking innovations will lead to a stepped change in the way services operate and more importantly, improve outcomes for children.

When? Sign up for all the details

Read more and subscribe: To find out more about becoming a CII partner or member, get in touch by emailing innovation@coram.org.uk or visit https://www.coram.org.uk/coram-innovation-incubator/

iNetwork

Organiser: Tameside Council

What: iNetwork is a membership organisation based in Greater Manchester and proudly hosted by Tameside Council. With over 120 members across the North West and Yorkshire and Humberside we have a strong collective voice empowered to confront the most pressing challenges in the local public sector.

When? Come to an event to experience the usefulness of iNetwork or contact one of the team directly. This is a public sector partnership that is looking to help and enable the public sector. Membership is available to any local public service organisation in the UK and it gives access to a range of benefits including service redesign training, expert intelligence and advice, network and peer support, sector-led workshops and briefings on key policies.

Read more and subscribe: https://i-network.org.uk/

LGAI.uk

Organiser: Outcomes Matter Consulting

What: An online community of practice driving impactful change in UK local government through emerging technologies. The network offers consultancy services, transformation programme support and targeted solutions.

They’re also hosting the LGAi.uk Local Government AI Summit 2025 on the 23 January 2025.

When? Monthly on Thursday mornings mostly 10:00 to 11:30

Read more and register: lgai.circle.so/feed

Local CIO Council

Organiser: Socitm

What: An autonomous group that acts in a policy advisory capacity to the Socitm Board.

Representatives on the Council cover all geographic areas of the country, along with differing sizes of Local Authority, and other public and third sector bodies such as Education, Police, Health, etc.

Membership is typically reserved for senior members of staff, and the purpose of the group is to discuss local public services digital delivery and reform.

When? Every 3 months, 15:00 to 17:00

Read more and register: https://socitm.net/about/local-cio-council/

LOTI’s Responsible AI

Organiser: London Office of Technology

What: A programme to help London boroughs be more ambitious users of AI. It responds to the needs identified by its members, in particular around bringing together and sharing ideas and case studies, developing skills, as well as developing common approaches and understandings to using AI better.

When? If you’re in London register for all the details

Read more and join: loti.london/projects/responsible-ai

Microsoft’s Local Government Innovation and Collaboration Forum

Organiser: Microsoft. Chaired by Kieran Johnston

What: The Innovation and Collaboration Forum meetings are designed for UK Local Government but open to anyone in Local Government worldwide.

The forums are focused on helping everyone in Local Government learn from each other – sharing best practice and drafting strategies to help cut through some of the duplication of work across the country. It is also a space to hear from experts and partners, and enabling everyone to get the most out of the Microsoft Platform and Services.

When: Usually the first Wednesday of every month between 10:00 and 12:00

Read more and join: Microsoft: Local Gov Innovation and Collaboration Forum 

Microsoft’s Local Government Collaboration and Innovation - Copilot Sub Group

Organiser: Microsoft. Chaired by Tony Ellis (Buckinghamshire Council) and Andy Kennell (Somerset Council)

What: The group (with over 854 members and rapidly growing) meets to talk through a core agenda of ROI, where to start your Copilot journey, social care, integration to back-office systems and governance.

When? Monthly 2-hour meetings. Join for all the details

Read more and join: Local Government Collaboration and Innovation Copilot Sub Group 

Scottish Public Sector AI Task Force

Organiser: Scottish AI Alliance, The Data Lab and the Scottish Government.

What: Focused on ensuring joined up and efficient AI and Data discussions across Scotland, the AI Task Force brings together representatives from all parts of the public sector in a spirit of open collaboration.
Attendees share insights, technical knowledge and discuss industry trends, offering a safe and collaborative space to discuss this fast-changing landscape and to learn from others experience.

When: Usually the third Tuesday of every month.

If you’re in Scotland read more and subscribe: www.scottishai.com/task-force

The Ada Lovelace Institute

Organiser: The Nuffield Institute

What: an independent research institute with a mission to ensure data and AI work for people and society.

AI cuts across all of their research domains. They produce useful reports and guidance on AI including:

Read more and subscribe: nuffieldfoundation.tfaforms.net/149

The LGA and LocalGov Digital's AI Practitioners Group

Organiser: LocalGov Digital in partnership with the Local Government Association

What: This group focuses on practical AI experimentation and application in local government.

Whether you’re curious about AI usage in other councils or have already started your journey, this group is the place to learn and share.

Meetings feature show and tells, discussions, and practical workshops, including LocalGovCamp

When do they meet? Join for all the details.

Read more and get involved: localgov.digital/2024/06/12/artificial-intelligence-practitioners-group

The LGA Local Government AI Network

Organiser: the Local Government Association

What: A peer network convening officers from across the sector to discuss AI risks, rewards and readiness.

Whether you’re a seasoned expert spearheading ambitious projects or just starting your AI journey, the network offers a supportive, informative environment to connect, collaborate, and learn.

When do they meet? Mostly monthly. Join for all the details

Read more and join: www.local.gov.uk/our-support/cyber-digital-and-technology/cyber-digital-and-technology-network-groups/ai-network

Turing Trustworthy AI Forum

Organiser: The Alan Turing Institute

What: The forum aims to:

  • Promote dialogue about trustworthy AI at the interface between research, the private sector and the third sector
  • Bring cutting edge research in trustworthy AI, and related topics, in an accessible way, to the attention of executives whose job it is to deliver digital transformation within their organisations
  • Provide these organisations with a safe space to share their use cases, best practice and challenges

When? Sign up for all the details

Read more and join: forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=p_SVQ1XklU-Knx-672OE-fR6PcyyBV1JuragBENwKPJUQk5OQkY0VzY0WVNYMVNSVDk4TEc2VDJGWCQlQCN0PWcu

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