Institutions of Innovation: Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation
'Institutions of Innovation' is a new series of monthly interviews with the institutions driving the UK’s innovation policy.
The series will begin to piece together the UK's evolving innovation landscape, setting out who the key actors are, what they do, where they sit and how industry can best engage with them, including through techUK.
This month's responses have been provided by Felicity Burch, Executive Director of the Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation (CDEI).
I see the CDEI’s work involves “enabling the trustworthy use of data and AI.” What does this mean in practice?
The CDEI enables innovation that wouldn’t otherwise happen by giving organisations the tools and confidence to invest in AI and data responsibly. Even among organisations already using data-driven tech and AI, one in five (19%) still see uncertainty about regulation as a barrier to innovation.
One way in which we address this is through our work on standards and guidance, which help to remove uncertainty and upskill teams. We also enable new methods of data sharing by pushing the boundaries of what is currently possible, for example through our Privacy-Enhancing Technologies and Fairness Innovation challenges.
Furthermore, the CDEI ensures that planned innovation is done responsibly and in a way that both addresses public concerns and reflects public values. It’s crucial that innovation is inclusive and delivers benefits across the UK.
Our Public Attitudes work underpins much of what we do at the CDEI. For example, our world-leading Algorithmic Transparency Recording Standard was informed by deep public engagement to understand what information people require about the way in which algorithms work. This enables us to create a tool that is transparent in a way that is meaningful to people.
What kind of relationship does the CDEI have with its closest institutional neighbours?
As part of DSIT, we work extremely closely with policy teams across the department to operationalise policy. Two examples of such policies are the National AI Strategy and National Data strategy. We work with the UK’s Catapults, along with UKRI, on specific challenges, such as the Fairness Innovation Challenge. These are key stakeholders who regularly support us when we’re talking to industry.
Beyond DSIT, what are the key departments that the CDEI works most closely with?
Given our partnerships-based approach, the CDEI has many key collaborations with a range of government departments. We work very closely with the Cabinet Office via our partnership with Central Digital and Data Office on the Algorithmic Transparency Recording Standard, but also have worked with the Ministry of Defence, Department for Education, and Department for Transport (via the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles), to name a few.
More broadly, how does the CDEI work with external stakeholders, including organisations across the UK, to drive innovation?
In lots of different ways. For example, we work very closely with industry through the AI Assurance Programme to understand their needs and requirements of government.
A great example of this is our industry temperature check report. Published in December 2022, this explored the barriers and enablers to AI assurance and set out clear interventions that the government and others can subsequently make. From this, we developed, alongside techUK, our Portfolio of Assurance Techniques. This portfolio is useful for anybody involved in designing, developing, deploying, or procuring AI-enabled systems. It showcases examples of AI assurance techniques being used in the ‘real world’ to support the development of trustworthy AI.
We also work with different industry bodies. This includes collaborating with the Recruitment and Employment Confederation to develop a bespoke set of industry-led guidance.
Finally, we regularly involve experts in our work to ensure it’s as robust as possible. For example, we worked with relevant experts at universities to develop our Responsible Innovation in Self-Driving Vehicles report in collaboration with the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles.
Can you name any examples of how the CDEI has worked with techUK in the past? If so, what have you enjoyed, valued, or learned during the process?
techUK are important partners for the CDEI, helping us to understand both industry needs and best practice. The CDEI has consistently engaged with techUK’s members, particularly on AI assurance. In fact, in 2020 we launched the AI Assurance Roadmap at techUK’s Digital Ethics Summit, the next iteration of which will take place in December.
More recently, last July we ran a symposium alongside techUK. This provided us with valuable insights into how the UK’s technology industry views AI assurance techniques and technical standards. Crucially, it then resulted in the CDEI creating the Portfolio of AI Assurance Techniques, which we launched with techUK. It’s always enjoyable working with both techUK and its over 1000 industry members (some of which have featured as case studies in the Portfolio!) as they have lots of expertise and provide valuable opinions.
How can techUK’s 1000+ industry members best engage with the CDEI?
techUK’s members can learn more about the CDEI’s current activity by monitoring our social channels, our CDEI blog and the GOV.UK website. On each of these we regularly publish updates on our programmes of work, plus they provide a useful medium through which industry can reach out to the CDEI if they see an opportunity to participate in what we’re up to.
Our other main strand of engagement with techUK and its members involves delivering workshops and launching CDEI products, including the AI assurance roadmap and the Portfolio of AI Assurance Techniques. We’re very keen to build upon this strong track record of engagement.
What is the CDEI’s long-term vision for the UK’s innovation landscape? Are there any areas in which working with industry will be particularly crucial?
The CDEI aims to make it easier for organisations to innovate in a responsible way. To do that, we must understand the challenges that businesses face when they're developing and adopting new technologies. Given the pace of innovation and technological advancement, it's essential that we regularly and effectively engage industry whenever possible.
We also know that industry is actively investing in solutions and tools to make AI safer. As a result, we want to continue to engage with the sector to understand both emerging best practice and what tools will be most effective at driving responsible innovation.
Finally, what is the CDEI’s main priority over the next 12 months?
Our key priority is working across government and industry to drive increased uptake of tools that will enable the use and proliferation of trustworthy AI. We look forward to continuing to engage with techUK on this!
You can find out more about the CDEI by visiting their website here.
Click below to view our other Unleashing Innovation series:
techUK – Unleashing UK Tech and Innovation
The UK is home to emerging technologies that have the power to revolutionise entire industries. From quantum to semiconductors; from gaming to the New Space Economy, they all have the unique opportunity to help prepare for what comes next.
techUK members lead the development of these technologies. Together we are working with Government and other stakeholders to address tech innovation priorities and build an innovation ecosystem that will benefit people, society, economy and the planet - and unleash the UK as a global leader in tech and innovation.
For more information, or to get in touch, please visit our Innovation Hub and click ‘contact us’.
Tech and Innovation Summit, 6 Nov (rescheduled date)
Emerging technologies will be debated and explored at our annual Tech and Innovation Summit, taking place on 6 November. This campaign week will directly feed into the themes discussed at the Summit.
techUK’s flagship Tech and Innovation Summit returns to traverse the extraordinary and ground-breaking discoveries made possible by the application of emerging and transformative technologies.
Upcoming events:
Gaming & Esports Technologies of the Future
National Videogame Museum, Sheffield Panel discussion
A Black Lens: Exploring Representation In The Future of Extended Reality (XR)
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Sprint Campaigns
techUK's sprint campaigns explore how emerging and transformative technologies are developed, applied and commercialised across the UK's innovation ecosystem.
Activity includes workshops, roundtables, panel discussions, networking sessions, Summits, and flagship reports (setting out recommendations for Government and industry).
Each campaign runs for 4-6 months and features regular collaborations with programmes across techUK.
This campaign explored how the UK can lead on the development, application and commercialisation of space technologies and ultimately realise the benefits of the New Space Economy.
These technologies include AI, quantum, lasers, robotics & automation, advanced propulsion and materials, and semiconductors.
Activity has taken the form of roundtables, panel discussions, networking sessions, Summits, thought leadership pieces, policy recommendations, and a report.
Get in touch below to find out more about techUK's ongoing work in this area.
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Rory Daniels
Rory Daniels
Rory joined techUK in June 2023 after three years in the Civil Service on its Fast Stream leadership development programme.
During this time, Rory worked on the Government's response to Covid-19 (NHS Test & Trace), school funding strategy (Department for Education) and international climate and nature policy (Cabinet Office). He also tackled the social care crisis whilst on secondment to techUK's Health and Social Care programme in 2022.
Before this, Rory worked in the House of Commons and House of Lords alongside completing degrees in Political Economy and Global Politics.
Today, Rory leads techUK's emerging technologies activity across everything from immersive, web3, AI and robotics to space, gaming & metaverse.
This involves co-running techUK's flagship Innovation campaign, managing four series (including the 'Meet the Innovators' interview series), and launching 4-6-month 'sprint campaigns' on transformative technologies and sectors.
- Email:
- [email protected]
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- https://www.linkedin.com/in/rorydaniels28/
This campaign has explored how the UK can lead on the development, application and commercialisation of the technologies set to underpin the Gaming & Esports sector of the future.
These include AI, augmented / virtual / mixed / extended reality, haptics, cloud & edge computing, semiconductors, and advanced connectivity (5/6G).
Activity has taken the form of roundtables, panel discussions, networking sessions, Summits, and thought leadership pieces. A report featuring member case studies and policy recommendations is currently being produced (to be launched in September 2024).
Get in touch below to find out more about contributing to or collaborating on this campaign.
Upcoming events
Gaming & Esports Technologies of the Future
National Videogame Museum, Sheffield Panel discussionEvent round-ups
Insights
Get in touch
Rory Daniels
Rory Daniels
Rory joined techUK in June 2023 after three years in the Civil Service on its Fast Stream leadership development programme.
During this time, Rory worked on the Government's response to Covid-19 (NHS Test & Trace), school funding strategy (Department for Education) and international climate and nature policy (Cabinet Office). He also tackled the social care crisis whilst on secondment to techUK's Health and Social Care programme in 2022.
Before this, Rory worked in the House of Commons and House of Lords alongside completing degrees in Political Economy and Global Politics.
Today, Rory leads techUK's emerging technologies activity across everything from immersive, web3, AI and robotics to space, gaming & metaverse.
This involves co-running techUK's flagship Innovation campaign, managing four series (including the 'Meet the Innovators' interview series), and launching 4-6-month 'sprint campaigns' on transformative technologies and sectors.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/rorydaniels28/
Running from July to December 2024, this campaign will explore how the UK can lead on the development, application and commercialisation of web3 and immersive technologies.
These include blockchain, smart contracts, digital assets, augmented / virtual / mixed / extended reality, spatial computing, haptics and holograms.
Activity will take the form of roundtables, workshops, panel discussions, networking sessions, tech demos, Summits, thought leadership pieces, policy recommendations, and reports.
Get in touch below to find out more about contributing to or collaborating on this campaign.
Upcoming events
Event round-ups
Guest insights
Get in touch
Rory Daniels
Rory Daniels
Rory joined techUK in June 2023 after three years in the Civil Service on its Fast Stream leadership development programme.
During this time, Rory worked on the Government's response to Covid-19 (NHS Test & Trace), school funding strategy (Department for Education) and international climate and nature policy (Cabinet Office). He also tackled the social care crisis whilst on secondment to techUK's Health and Social Care programme in 2022.
Before this, Rory worked in the House of Commons and House of Lords alongside completing degrees in Political Economy and Global Politics.
Today, Rory leads techUK's emerging technologies activity across everything from immersive, web3, AI and robotics to space, gaming & metaverse.
This involves co-running techUK's flagship Innovation campaign, managing four series (including the 'Meet the Innovators' interview series), and launching 4-6-month 'sprint campaigns' on transformative technologies and sectors.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/rorydaniels28/
Campaign Weeks
Our annual Campaign Weeks enable techUK members to explore how the UK can lead on the development and application of emerging and transformative technologies.
Members do this by contributing blogs or vlogs, speaking at events, and highlighting examples of best practice within the UK's tech sector.
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Tech and Innovation Summit 2023
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Rory Daniels
Rory joined techUK in June 2023 after three years in the Civil Service on its Fast Stream leadership development programme.