Tim Davies

The UK Gov Camp logo, which look like a fireball heading right. The top half is blue and rest is red. In the middle is a white line that looks like the river Thames.

UKGovCamp 2026 ( #ukgc26 ) will be in #Birmingham on Saturday 17 January 2026.

We need a venue:
1️⃣ for 250 people,
2️⃣ 8 breakout rooms,
3️⃣ wheelchair accessible.

@imhuyorks.bsky.social is leading the search.

Please share and reply with ideas 🙂

Front cover of Labour Together’s Britcard proposal. It is red and promises a ‘progressive digital identity for Britain’. The abstract imagery suggests progress (arrows) and immigration borders (the arrows are partially interrupted)

WW2 poster- a policeman’s hand takes a National Registration ID card from a plain, citizen’s hand. Text says a citizen may be asked for the card at any time

Preparing my notes for an interview on history of identity cards, back in the news because of proposals such as Labour Together’s Britcard (left). There’s a long history (see WW2 poster, right)

Here’s a thread on recent (1980s-2010s) UK ID card history, showing how Tony Blair became keen on them

AI skills are about more than a workplace technology We must get away from the exclusion, elitism, and corporate capture that has dominated AI development to date

From me & @markwong.bsky.social in @heraldscotland.bsky.social today: "AI Skills are about more than a workplace technology" www.heraldscotland.com/opinion/2533... building on open letter on critical AI literacy for all I organised @connectedbydata.org connectedbydata.org/blog/2025/07...

Understanding public attitudes towards the use of AI in policing | Sciencewise Understanding public attitudes towards the use of AI in policing Project Summary Debate around artificial intelligence (AI) has become more prominent and more polarised in recent years, and yet...

The public sees the potential of AI in policing, but they’re not handing over a blank cheque.

@sciencewise.bsky.social and @ukhomeoffice.bsky.social new report provides key insights and recommendations to policymakers about the strengths and weaknesses of using AI in policing: bit.ly/3GZIn1S

This is exactly why we signed the letter to the UK government. As the UK government just gave Google the keys to get all of our public data and provide the infrastructures to public services, it also wants them to upskill its employees. We think it's a mistake.
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...

Initiatives like Scotland's "Living with AI" course & programs in Finland & Canada show what's possible. The UK must learn from these examples, supporting trusted institutions like libraries & community groups to scale AI literacy. We can’t leave AI education to industry alone. #FutureofAI

We're calling for accessible, independent materials and opportunities for diverse communities—parents, older people, underserved groups—to engage critically with AI. This isn't just about adopting tools; it's about AI affecting all our lives & building public trust. #DigitalSkills #CommunityLearning

Why is this so vital? Currently, less than 25% of the population feels their views are represented in AI decisions. Critical AI literacy goes beyond tech skills; it's about understanding social & environmental impacts of AI & ensuring public voices shape its future. #PublicEngagement #ResponsibleAI

Open Letter to the UK Government - Prioritising AI Literacy for All Citizens On 9th June the Prime Minister announced a skills drive on AI focussed technical/functional skills for students and workers, with the announcement centred on industry collaborations, and economic impa...

📢 Open Letter to UK Govt: we're urging Keir Starmer, Peter Kyle & @bphillipsonmp.bsky.social to prioritise critical AI literacy for ALL. It's time everyone had access to learning that supports them to choose how they want to engage with AI. Read here: connectedbydata.org/blog/2025/07... #AILiteracy

A New Social Contract for AI? Comparing CC Signals and the Social License for Data Reuse

Interesting analysis from @sverhulst.bsky.social comparing @creativecommons.bsky.social Signals for AI with a Social License approach: sverhulst.medium.com/a-new-social... and highlighting the complementarity of governance of both 'inputs to AI' (CC Signals) & 'applications of AI' (Social license).

YouTube video by Department of Health and Social Care 10 Year Health Plan: The Story of Change NHS

The government is making a big deal about public and staff involvement in developing the 10 year health plan.

It's a bit weird, though, that the plan itself doesn't have much to say about continued involvement, especially around data, AI and technology.

youtu.be/76TRwWu0t-A?...

UK Procurement Act implementation: what do the first three months of data tell us? - Open Contracting Partnership We take a first look at the new UK procurement data now coming from 2023’s…

Catching up with @opencontracting.bsky.social analysis of data emerging from UK Procurement Act and great to see all the long-laid groundwork (& ongoing legwork of many) on data standards, identifiers and extensible model paying off in useful data and insight www.open-contracting.org/2025/06/23/u...

Choice screens could be the topic of something that us folks in tech know how to do: a multistakeholder standard. The Director could convene a working group of experts and relevant stakeholders to devise choice screens that actually meet regulatory requirements, in full view of the public.

💫 Amazing victory for Stroud Greens last night in what had been a Labour seat

💚 It's the Greens who are offering a real alternative to the far right

💪🏽 Congratulations and huge thanks to the local activists who worked so hard

Beyond Tech Experts: Public Voices Must Shape AI's Future An op-ed written by the PVAI People’s Advisory Panel The upcoming government spending review is likely to place a big emphasis on the potential of AI to update public services, and yet less than 25% of the population feel their views and values are represented in current decisions being made about AI. As a group of citizens from all walks of life, engaged over the last year in exploring how the public could, and should, have a voice shaping a responsible AI future, we believe that needs to change. And it can.

"The Government's Spending Review sets out plans for a step change in investment in digital & AI across public services".

A group of citizens from all walks of life believe the public should have a voice shaping a responsible AI future. Read more:
connectedbydata.org/blog/2025/0...

Almost no mention of social care in Reeves’ speech—so disappointing. Fair pay for care workers and a boost to the NHS are welcome, but that alone will not repair the care sector. We need a fully funded social care system if we want to free up hospital beds and ensure dignity for all. #SpendingReview

"...we should not task machines with decisions simply because they now seem capable of making them; we should instead do so based on whether ceding those decisions expands or contracts our agency and freedoms." from HDR2025 - Chapter 2

🚨 20% OFF: Perspectives on AI - a hands-on workshop with @timdavies.org.uk🤖

Explore the real-world impact & ethics of AI. Perfect for professionals & organisations building AI literacy.

📅Weds 18 June
🎟Use code HWAI20 | ⏳ Offer ends 11 June
🔗Book now: www.hawkwoodcollege.co.uk/our-programm...

Public Voices in AI webinar series 5 June at 12:30 Community perspectives Workers' Observatory, The People Speak, Connected by Data 10 June at 16:00 What experts think and what evidence says Jack Stilgoe, Cian O'Donovan, Susan Oman 12 June at 13:00 Lessons from deliberative inquiry, a framework & self-assessment toolkit Reema Patel, Ellie O'Keefe 26 June at 12:00 Diversity & inequality in public attitudes to Al: findings from a national survey Octavia Field Reid, Helen Margetts, Roshni Modhvadia, Tvesha Sippy

As part of @digitalgoodnet.bsky.social's upcoming webinar series, our
@timdavies.org.uk will be speaking with members of the PVAI People's Advisory Panel on community perspectives of public voices front and centre in AI research, development and policy.
Book: digitalgood.net/pvai-semina...

Reading the 2025 Human Development Report: "A matter of choice: People and possibilities in the age of AI" hdr.undp.org/content/huma... and encouraged by the positive and critical framing of AI as complementary to human development - and something to be shaped. Well worth a read.

We urgently need a cross-departmental impact assessment on the ASGSF cuts. Once policymakers see how costs shift directly to DWP and NHS CAMHS budgets, the false economy becomes clear. #ASGSF #AdoptionPoverty #JoinedUpThinking

Action Against ASGSF Changes - Action Against ASGSF Changes Action Against ASGSF Changes A protest march to Downing Street on Saturday 3rd May, starting at 13:00, against the government’s changes to The Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund (ASGSF). C...

We’re supporting the march from the Dept for Education to Downing St this Saturday at 1PM, protesting the govt’s harmful ASGSF changes. 🪧
These cuts hit adopted children + families hard — let’s get our voices heard! 📣
Register for the event & sign & share the petition below 👇
🔗 asgsfprotest.com

To sign the petition and details of Saturdays march visit www.asgsfprotest.com
#ACutTooFar #CareNotCuts #FundNowOrPayLater

Hear the full podcast on wherever you normally listen.

🤖 Want to engage with AI confidently & critically?

Join @timdavies.org.uk for Perspectives on AI - a one-day, interactive workshop exploring the potential and pitfalls of AI: practical, social, environmental & more.

📅 Tuesday 13 May
🔗 www.hawkwoodcollege.co.uk/our-programm...

View from a Stone Window into a lush green garden with trees and hillside beyond

Cycled up to Hawkwood this morning to prepare Perspectives on AI course I'm running next month: a one day intro to critically engaging with AI.
www.hawkwoodcollege.co.uk/our-programm...
Rainy now, but with gd weather in May we'll make most of the setting to slow down & reflect on fast moving tech

UK, 2025: a country where police break into a place of worship and arrest those inside who are having a meeting and might be planning a non-violent action.

The right to peaceful protest is an essential part of a healthy democracy. Governments who crack down on it are governments to be very wary of.

PAIRSx Africa: Pioneering new approaches to AI through Participation | Notion Many scholars and policymakers in AI have begun sounding the drums for more participatory approaches to AI development and governance which incorporate diverse voices and perspectives. For many Africa...

Organised and chaired by @connectedbydata.org and @mozilla.org fellow Kiito Shilongo. Registration details here: pairs25.notion.site/PAIRSx-Afric... -

We'll have inputs from Kauna Ibrahim Malgwi "African gig workers: invisible hands that power global tech revolutions” and Naftali Ndeapo Indongo on "Participatory AI Approaches toward an Indigenous People in Namibia" - all followed by workshop discussions on AI development, governance & resistance

With quickfire inputs from Bobina Zulfa of @pollicy.bsky.social on “AI governance for who? critique & situating African voice in continental AI vision & plans” and Sebastian Calderón of @i4policy.bsky.social on ‘Visions for Global Dialogue on AI", plus...

@pollicy.bsky.social

PAIRSx Africa: Pioneering new approaches to AI through Participation | Notion Many scholars and policymakers in AI have begun sounding the drums for more participatory approaches to AI development and governance which incorporate diverse voices and perspectives. For many Africa...

Really looking forward to PAIRSx Africa on Monday 31st: 2 hours of online presentations & discussions on 'Pioneering new approaches to AI through Participation' in the run up to Global AI Summit on Africa in Kigali. pairs25.notion.site/PAIRSx-Afric... #participation #AIGovernance #innovation #africa