AI on the Frontline Conference: addressing governance, ethics, and safety in the public sector

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Wednesday 19 November 2025 9:30am to 4:00pm

West Hub, University of Cambridge

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About the Conference

Rapid development and adoption of AI systems in the public sector have focused on driving productivity gains and enhancing service delivery. However, this is only worthwhile if we deploy AI systems in safe and ethical ways to ensure that societal needs are well served.

This conference brings together practitioners, policymakers and researchers to critically reflect on their experiences of AI use in the UK public sector, with emphasis on governance, ethics and safety.

Who Should Attend?

If you work in a local council, public sector service provision, or in the third sector, and are interested in learning or sharing about experiences of using AI systems safely and ethically, this conference is a great opportunity for you to:

  • Engage with practitioners to learn about challenges faced and how they have addressed them.
  • Understand the UK landscape related to safe and ethical use of AI systems in the public sector.
  • Gain insights and inspiration to ground your use of AI systems in safety and ethical considerations.
Agenda (draft) 09:30 - 10:00  Registration and coffee   10:00 - 11:15  Session 1: State of play – safe & ethical AI use in the public sector Keynote panel and plenary discussion with Q&A 
  11:15 - 11:30  Coffee break   11:30 - 13:00  Session 2: AI research perspectives – governance, safety, and ethics Presentations from research projects with live polls and Q&A 
  13:00 - 14:00  Lunch   14:00 - 15:50  Session 3: Workshop – AI vignettes: safe and ethical decision-making in practice Interactive group session using scenario-based vignettes
  15:00 - 15:15  Coffee break   15:15 - 15:50  Session 4: Show and tell panel – Mapping known unknowns: challenges and what comes next Panel presentations, provocations, speculation, and reflections from practice
  15:50 - 16:00  Closing reflections, next steps & networking  

* Speakers and detailed agenda will be announced soon.

Venue

West Hub, University of Cambridge
JJ Thomson Avenue, Cambridge CB3 0US

Closest train station: Cambridge (regular buses to West Cambridge Site: U-bus).

Cycle parking is available on-site. There is no car parking at the West Hub, but Madingley Park and Ride is located a short walk from the West Hub.