Tim Davies
@timdavies.org.uk
Director of Research & Practice at @ConnectedByData.org working on participatory and open governance of tech. Adoptive parent.
Our @timdavies.org.uk is advocating for including public voices in the future of AI governance. Read our white paper on a Citizens’ Track on AI here: citizens-track.org/2026/report/ @iswe-foundation.bsky.social @sheffielduni.bsky.social @shefcmi.bsky.social @adalovelaceinst.bsky.social @pairs.site
We need a citizens' track on AI. @timdavies.org.uk, @octavia-fr.bsky.social & @suoman.bsky.social wrote a think piece explaining what we've done and why its needed. 📰 Article: www.adalovelaceinstitute.org/blog/a-citiz... 🔗 White Paper: citizens-track.org/2026/report/
A citizens’ track is needed for democratic AI to move from rhetoric to reality
The UN Global Dialogue on AI as an opportunity for embedding public participation in decision-making
adalovelaceinstitute.org
As the UN Global Dialogue on AI Governance in Geneva kicks off we are making the call for a Citizens' Track: putting people in the lead through joined up opportunities for grassroots and global citizen participation. citizens-track.org/2026/report/
A Citizens Track on AI Governance: Alignment, Agency and Accountability
Setting out why and how participatory practice can address the democratic deficit in AI governance, and bring greater alignment with the public interest, agency for communities, and accountability of ...
citizens-track.org
Started my AI Governance week in Geneva at WSIS with a great panel organised by Women at the Table and AI & Equality network on AI Procurement. I had chance to talk about the Principles for Public Participation in Procurement of AI we launched last year with Participation AI: p4ai.net
Home
Principles for Public Participation in the Procurement of AI (Version 1). Developed by ParticipationAI in partnership with Connected by Data.
p4ai.net
Fantastically useful primer for thinking about next weeks AI governance events in Geneva
Global Network Initiative @thegni.bsky.social · last mo.As the UN prepares for next week’s Global Dialogue on AI Governance, GNI’s Jason Pielemeier, Elonnai Hickok, & CCG's Jhalak Kakkar examine WSIS as critical lessons for AI governance, from multistakeholder approaches to accountability & implementation: globalnetworkinitiative.org/as-the-un-la...
We've been looking back over 2025-26 & it's been another good year. Now we share our annual report connectedbydata.org/... 🧑🏫 A major focus for our work this year has been on worker power, AI in the public sector & the intersection between the two, with a particular focus on education. 🧵 (1/7)
*EPIC FREE LECTURE ON THURSDAY IN OXFORD* Our heroic CTO Seb Bacon on open science, open code, OpenSAFELY and more!
Ben Goldacre@bengoldacre.bsky.social · 3mo agoInaugural Lecture Klaxon! Our magnificent CTO Seb Bacon is a hero of the modern age, and now PROFESSOR Seb Bacon... Come to his inaugural lecture in Oxford! OpenSAFELY! OpenPrescribing! TrialsTracker! OpenCorporates! Open Code! Open Everything! www.bennett.ox.ac.uk/blog/2026/05... bacon.boutique
🌍 PAIRSx Africa - now online and registration open! 🔈 Due to the cancellation of RightsCon, PAIRSx Africa will take place as an online online webinar on Monday, 04 May, 10am - 12pm Central African Time. 💻 Register to attend the session on Zoom: us06web.zoom.us/meeting/regi... @pairs.site
🚨 CALL FOR EVIDENCE 🚨 The UK govt is currently looking for ideas for the next open govt national action plan, which covers transparency, accountability, open data, digital governance, public participation and more Closes 25 May, as many ideas of 250 words as you'd like www.gov.uk/government/c...
Seventh UK National Action Plan for Open Government: call for evidence
We’re seeking evidence to inform the initial phase of the Seventh UK National Action Plan for Open Government.
gov.uk
Over half way through uploading recordings from @pairs.site 2026: critical presentations on participatory approaches to AI development, governance and resistance. www.pairs.site/Session-reco... Most talks are < 15 minutes, and packed with ideas & insights. Papers & slides linked where available.
MozFest 2026 dates announced (UK October half-term), and an interrail pass sale on this week. Well, it would be silly not to book a pass & lock in all the 🚆 travel from home in the UK for less than the price of flights (4 day pass + max reservations cost). (www.interrail.eu/en)
Interrail.eu | 1 rail pass, 33 countries
Travel across Europe and discover 33 countries by train with Interrail. Enjoy the best rail travel experience in Europe with our Interrail Pass!
interrail.eu
The continued failure of DfE Ministers to understand the reality of adoption is deeply disheartening, and their statements feel disingenuous. Adoption & Special Guardianship Support Fund remains cut by 40%+ for individual child with budgets inadequate to fund support www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
I'm a bit late sharing this, but this from @jenitennison.com is a really useful review of the trajectory of recent AI Summits www.deccanherald.com/opinion/empt... - and the need to support the 'necessary friction of democracy' in AI governance
AI Impact Summit: Empty rhetoric fails public in Delhi meet amid elite push
AI Summits: AI Impact Summit in Delhi exposed tokenism and elite capture behind inclusion claims. From Bletchley to Paris leaders tout safety and innovation critics flag algorithmic harms, biometric s...
deccanherald.com
m-otherboard.ghost.io/collective-i... This is inspired.
Collective Intelligence Ahoy: A modest proposal
Greetings (m)otherboard members and friends, Earlier this year, a search for the future Executive Director of Humanity AI was announced. In case you haven’t been following along, Humanity AI is a $...
m-otherboard.ghost.io
I'm facilitating a small group conversation at this event next week - on anticipating the consequences of technology adoption and development. Lots of other great contributors, hope to see you there!
Connected by Data@connectedbydata.org · 5mo ago⭕ We're pleased to announce DEMOS as a 'power and participation in public tech' conference partner. 📆 Friday 6 March 🕰️ 10:00 - 17:00 🏢 Manchester 🔗 connectedbydata.org/events/2026... (1/3)
Great start to the online day for @pairs.site with a focus on participatory (design) justice and AI, and keeping community in the loop in AI development. Listening from our Hub space in Delhi thanks to JGU Law School.
Deliberation folk: do we have/need a convention for indicating the 'depth' of deliberation when reporting results. Quant data will report for e.g with (n=1000): gives reader quick sense of how to interpret findings. Should deliberation have (n=37; h=30) for 37 people, 30 hours deliberation each.
I'm in Delhi this week for the #IndiaAIImpactSummit and the second edition of our conference on Participatory AI Research and Practice. But @pairs.site is also taking place online on Tuesday. Over travels, and a 🚞 visit to the Taj Mahal yesterday I had a look at some of the 10-minute talks coming up
Tim Davies@timdavies.org.uk · 6mo agoLanded in Delhi for #IndiaAIImpactSummit and @pairs.site on Weds, but spent the flight reading papers for our online fringe event, PAIRS, on Tuesday. There is some stonking insight, inspiration and challenge lined up on the day for anyone thinking about how to put people & communities first in AI...
Landed in Delhi for #IndiaAIImpactSummit and @pairs.site on Weds, but spent the flight reading papers for our online fringe event, PAIRS, on Tuesday. There is some stonking insight, inspiration and challenge lined up on the day for anyone thinking about how to put people & communities first in AI...
Landed in Delhi for #IndiaAIImpactSummit and @pairs.site on Weds, but spent the flight reading papers for our online fringe event, PAIRS, on Tuesday. There is some stonking insight, inspiration and challenge lined up on the day for anyone thinking about how to put people & communities first in AI...
AI Summit | Democratisation must mean power, not just access. In run up to #IndiaAIImpactSummit Astha Kapoor and I have op-ed in Indian Deccan Herald on need for "AI governance that reclaims democratisation as power to choose, not simply the opportunity to use" www.deccanherald.com/opinion/ai-s...
AI Impact Summit: Democratisation must mean power, not mere access
AI governance debate: As the India AI Impact Summit begins, experts argue democratisation must go beyond access to AI tools. From RTI to social audits, India can push participatory AI, public accounta...
deccanherald.com
Check out our new op-ed! With @taniaduarte.bsky.social @markwong.bsky.social, @suoman.bsky.social, & @timdavies.org.uk. We argue that these collabs normalize close relationships w/Big-Tech, setting them up to be key actors in governance who provide tech solutions to important social ‘problems’.
Tech Policy Press@techpolicypress.bsky.social · 6mo agoThe UK's "free AI training for all" program may offer free courses, but there is a cost to society for the government's approach. Elinor Carmi, Tania Duarte, Mark Wong, Susan Oman & Tim Davies argue it deepens Big Tech dependency while sidelining critical AI literacy and community organizations.
📢NEW OP-ED! Together with the brilliant @taniaduarte.bsky.social, @markwong.bsky.social, @suoman.bsky.social & @timdavies.org.uk we wrote for @techpolicypress.bsky.social why the new UK Government AI Skills Hub is undermining our democracy. Our 🔑 points are->🧵 www.techpolicy.press/the-real-cos...
The Real Cost of the UK’s ‘Free AI Training for All’ is Democracy
Researchers argue the UK's 'AI Skills Hub' should be re-thought with input from civil society groups and public interest organizations.
techpolicy.press
📢 Register now for the next Data & AI public engagement community of practice where we'll be joined by Louis Horsley (National Voices) and Rachel Astall (Beam). 📅 Wednesday 11 Feb 🕑 2pm - 3:15pm UK time 💻 Online, free of charge More info and to register: connectedbydata.org/events/2026...
Data and AI public engagement: Community of Practice
On Wednesday 11 February 2026 at 2pm we will hold the sixteenth meeting of a community of practice as part of our project on Giving communities a powerful say in public sector data and AI projects.
connectedbydata.org
Absolutely this @sianberry.bsky.social Don’t let the lights go out on our digital infrastructure. We need open source, interoperable systems that are in our control. Tell your MP to support the early day motion ⬇️ action.openrightsgroup.org/protect-brit...
Protect Britain’s Digital Backbone — Ask Your MP to Act
Take action! What’s the problem? The UK’s digital backbone. The cloud services, data systems, and platforms that underpin government, public services, and democratic processes is dangerously reliant o...
action.openrightsgroup.org
Sian Berry MP@sianberry.bsky.social · 6mo agoWe need a UK Digital Sovereignty Strategy! Our over-reliance on foreign tech giants is a huge risk to our security and resilience when faced with Donald Trump’s ever increasing belligerence. Companies like Palantir have no place in our critical digital infrastructure.
📣 Announcing our 'Getting public voices heard' panel at our 'Power and participation in public tech' conference. Hear from Keeley Crockett, @darcyprior.bsky.social, Emily Rempel and @timdavies.org.uk. 📆 Friday 6 Mar 🕰️ 10:00 - 17:00 🏢 Manchester Register now! 🔗 connectedbydata.org/events/2026...
📢 Introducing: Ruth Catlow and Connal Parsley. They will be presenting at our online event on 'Participatory Live Action Role Play for the participatory co-design of government administrative AI decision systems'. Find out more, and register to attend for free, at 🔗 www.pairs.site/PAIRS... (1/3)
PAIRS Online - 17th February | Notion
Hosted by Notion Sites — The easiest way to get a website up and running.
pairs.site
Encouraging to see practices focussed on the voice of children, young people and families central to latest report from @nuffieldfoundation.org Children's Information Project. www.childrensinformationproject.org.uk/report (1/4)
Invitation to Tender: The Delegation Conversation. We are looking for a partner who can design and adapt deliberative methods for a proposed People’s Forum on the use and governance of Advanced AI Assistants. Full details: adalovelaceinstitute.org/ai-assistant... Deadline: 15 February 2026.
Invitation to Tender: The Delegation Conversation
A People’s Forum on the use and governance of Advanced AI Assistants
adalovelaceinstitute.org
please understand social media, the whole internet, this could be and still can be something great #SpeculativeResistance
lauren@lauren.rotatingsandwiches.com · 6mo agoevery time i see a white guy in their fifties radicalized by the twitter algorithm into racism and extremism i think about how it's a total failure of the youtube algorithm to instead radicalize him into home brewing, elaborate A/V setups, or DIY solar