A timely conversation for all
As the pace of AI development accelerates, the promise and challenges of this technological revolution have sparked an explosion of interest in AI across a range of communities, seeking answers to questions about its implications for society-at-large.
Through a series of events in London, and throughout the UK, the AI Fringe aimed to capture the energy of this interest to help chart a path towards a more collaborative, safe, and inclusive AI ecosystem. This event was independent and offered participants – whether they are part of civil society, developers in industry, academics, or curious members of the public – the opportunity to exchange perspectives on topics that would add to those covered at the Government AI Safety Summit. Through a series of keynotes, fireside chats, panel discussions, workshops and roundtables, the AI Fringe examined the potential and challenges of specific uses of AI, to the themes cutting across uses that will impact society more broadly.
The AI Fringe is a forum for all – including those underrepresented in the AI ecosystem. We not only want to create space for all communities to come together, but demonstrate that diversity in the AI ecosystem will be one of its strengths going forward.
Our aim is to open the conversation about AI, and we encourage other groups and individuals to organise AI discussions within your own communities. One way we encouraged conversation during the AI Fringe 2023 was through the People's Panel on AI.
The People’s Panel on AI
The People’s Panel on AI brought together 12 representative members of the public randomly selected by the Sortition Foundation to attend, observe and discuss key Fringe events. Through a deliberative process facilitated by Hopkins Van Mil, they produced a public report giving their verdict on AI and their recommendations to government, industry, civil society and academia for further action. The People’s Panel on AI was organised by Connected by Data with support from the Mozilla Foundation, the Accelerate Programme for Scientific Discovery, the Kavli Centre for Ethics, Science, and the Public, and the Ada Lovelace Institute.
tea with AI
AI is developing quickly, and everyone is talking about it. During the AI Fringe 2023 we invited people to host their own informal 'Tea With AI' during the AI Fringe week, and hold a conversation with friends, family or colleagues about what AI means in your life.
Tea with AI was jointly organised by Working for an MP, the website for anyone working for a UK Member of Parliament or an interest in Parliament, and Responsible AI UK, looking at how to shape the development of AI to benefit people, communities and society.
Perspectives from the AI Fringe 2023
The AI Fringe brought together diverse views from across civil society, academia and industry – including those historically underrepresented – to engage in the discussion about AI safety and aimed to showcase the UK’s thriving ecosystem, as well as enhance understanding of AI and its impacts.
The views from the 2023 event were captured in the Perspectives paper as a means of contributing to and continuing the discussion about responsible AI development and deployment that happened at the Fringe.
The perspectives represented in this paper are drawn from a range of organisations across civil society, industry and academia, as well as from a group of citizens who comprised the People’s Panel on AI. There was never an expectation that these perspectives would align completely, but there are many areas of agreement and consensus to be found - which we've articulated here in the spirit of informing further conversations.
Download the paper ↓
2023 hub events
2023 Speakers
2023 partners
Get in touch
Contact us at hello@aifringe.org.