Research: Greater Manchester People’s Panel for AI

Research summary

• July 2022 - March 2023 (official end) / ongoing

Citizen trust in artificial intelligence (AI) applications and data-driven technologies is at the forefront of ethical guidelines, principles, and future AI legalisation.

Diverse citizen voices are often absent from research and development processes, with no real opportunity for citizens to engage with researchers and businesses. 

This project aims to build public trust in AI and repair negative perceptions created by the media. We want to encourage a more diverse group of people get involved with the public debate about AI and engage with academics and innovators doing research and development.

We established a Greater Manchester People’s Panel for AI (PPfAI) to empower traditionally marginalised communities in particular to contribute to discussions about the technology. 

Starting in July 2022, we ran three interactive AI roadshows with communities in Salford and Stockport that explored how AI impacts people’s everyday lives, debated technology use over a range of applications, and heard very diverse opinions.

During the AI roadshows we recruited nine citizens to join the people’s panel, who then completed two days of training about key aspects of data, AI and ethics.

The panellists learned to scrutinise AI research and systems to consider the potential impact of AI and make recommendations.

Four GM People’s Panel for AI sessions were held where tech businesses and researchers pitched their ideas or products and were subject to intensive questioning by the People’s Panel.

After taking part, panel members reported an increase in confidence in being able to question businesses and researchers.

Businesses heard diverse stakeholder voices on the ethical impacts of their products or services, which have and are leading to changes from product design considerations to ethical practices.

We hope to establish the panel as a sustainable way for academics and innovators to develop their working practices and products based on feedback from the public.

We have co-developed with panel members, businesses and the Greater Manchester Equality Alliance (GM=EqAl) a People’s Panel for AI terms of reference. The case study booklet showcases the experiences of citizens, businesses and researchers taking part.

This booklet showcases the experiences of the citizens who were trained and took part in the People’s Panel for AI. It also features case studies of the businesses and researchers who see building trust in AI as fundamental in building responsible tech. Most importantly, these case studies give people a voice.