Tim Davies
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timdavies.org.uk
Tim Davies
@timdavies.org.uk
3.1K followers 850 following 250 posts
Director of Research & Practice at @ConnectedByData.org working on participatory and open governance of tech. Adoptive parent.
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timdavies.org.uk
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...
February 14, 2026 at 8:27 AM
timdavies.org.uk
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...
www.deccanherald.com
February 12, 2026 at 9:25 AM
Reposted by Tim Davies
elinorcarmi.bsky.social
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’.
techpolicypress.bsky.social Tech Policy Press @techpolicypress.bsky.social · 5d
The 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.
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.
buff.ly
February 11, 2026 at 7:41 AM
Reposted by Tim Davies
elinorcarmi.bsky.social
📢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.
www.techpolicy.press
February 10, 2026 at 5:22 PM
Reposted by Tim Davies
connectedbydata.org
📢 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
February 9, 2026 at 12:00 PM
Reposted by Tim Davies
openrightsgroup.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...
February 6, 2026 at 7:28 PM
Reposted by Tim Davies
connectedbydata.org
📣 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...
Conference poster showing four panelists' headshots and names for "Power and participation in public tech" with event details.
February 5, 2026 at 5:00 PM
Reposted by Tim Davies
pairs.site
📢 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
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www.pairs.site
February 1, 2026 at 11:00 AM
timdavies.org.uk
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)
A circular infographic titled "Figure 1: A Framework for the implementation of ethical and effective information use." The diagram is organized into three concentric layers: Outer Ring: Divided into two semi-circles labeled Infrastructure and Governance (top-right) and Behaviours and Culture (bottom-left). Middle Ring: A color-coded wheel with eight segments detailing specific actions: Infrastructure & Governance side: "Bring voice into co-design of information systems" (orange), "Using theory of change" (light orange), "Mapping information" (red), and "Mapping systems" (purple). Behaviours & Culture side: "Drawing on national datasets" (lime green), "Improving voice in operational information use" (mint green), "Integrating children's and families' voices into information use" (teal), and "Using broad sources of local information" (blue). Inner Core: A smaller circle divided by a cross into four quadrants, labeled clockwise as Best use of information, Integrating Voice, Understanding Needs, and Appropriate Action. Arrows indicate a continuous, cyclical flow between the segments and rings.
January 30, 2026 at 11:08 AM
Reposted by Tim Davies
adalovelaceinst.bsky.social
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
January 29, 2026 at 4:20 PM
Reposted by Tim Davies
older.bsky.social
please understand social media, the whole internet, this could be and still can be something great #SpeculativeResistance
lauren.rotatingsandwiches.com lauren @lauren.rotatingsandwiches.com · 18d
every 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
January 29, 2026 at 4:58 PM
timdavies.org.uk
I had same thought as Andrew this morning: I should test out one of these courses before I critique. Then I missed my stop on the train while trying to sign up, had to run into meetings and didn't get chance. I thank @kolektiv.xyncro.com for the public service of showing what a nonsense this all is.
kolektiv.xyncro.com Andrew Cherry @kolektiv.xyncro.com · 18d
I think I might take one of these "under 20 minutes" AI skills courses the UK Govt. seems very keen on everyone doing and live-post it here... Maybe we can all learn something together! The press release sends me to aiskillshub.org.uk/aiskillsboost/ - let's go and see!
AI Skills Boost - AI Skills Hub
aiskillshub.org.uk
January 28, 2026 at 5:33 PM
Reposted by Tim Davies
kolektiv.xyncro.com
I think I might take one of these "under 20 minutes" AI skills courses the UK Govt. seems very keen on everyone doing and live-post it here... Maybe we can all learn something together! The press release sends me to aiskillshub.org.uk/aiskillsboost/ - let's go and see!
AI Skills Boost - AI Skills Hub
aiskillshub.org.uk
January 28, 2026 at 12:07 PM
timdavies.org.uk
A couple of times this week I've found myself referring back to Michelle Gilman's piece for @datasociety.bsky.social on "Democratizing AI: Principles for Meaningful Public Participation" datasociety.net/library/demo... that brings learning from poverty and environmental law to engagement on AI.
Democratizing AI: Principles for Meaningful Public Participation
As AI is deployed in ways that dramatically shape people’s lives and opportunities, there are increasing calls to integrate democratic and human-centered values into AI through public participation.
datasociety.net
January 28, 2026 at 1:06 PM
Reposted by Tim Davies
avilarenata.bsky.social
We cannot aim at Digital Sovereignty or even some degree of digital autonomy if both students and workers are trained to serve the interests of Big Tech. And they are influencing every curricula and capacity building program in private, public and social sector!
elinorcarmi.bsky.social Dr. Elinor Carmi @elinorcarmi.bsky.social · 18d
After announcing it in the summer, today the UK government launched free training courses to AI upskill workers. It's free because it's funded by big-tech companies such as Amazon, Google, Microsoft and others, and not by local organisations in the UK who have been working with communities->
Big tech upskilling
January 28, 2026 at 9:57 AM
Reposted by Tim Davies
elinorcarmi.bsky.social
After announcing it in the summer, today the UK government launched free training courses to AI upskill workers. It's free because it's funded by big-tech companies such as Amazon, Google, Microsoft and others, and not by local organisations in the UK who have been working with communities->
Big tech upskilling
January 28, 2026 at 9:33 AM
timdavies.org.uk
Just now on R4 Today @lizforleicester.bsky.social re-announcing the AI Skills programme ( www.gov.uk/government/n... ) that led to a 70 signature open letter back in July on developing a more inclusive, independent and collective approach to AI literacy: connectedbydata.org/blog/2025/07...
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…
connectedbydata.org
January 28, 2026 at 8:58 AM
timdavies.org.uk
I've just been been back at Newspeak House for the first time in years and years for an event on "AI in the street: Lessons from everyday encounters with AI innovation". Quick thread of reflections from a fascinating evening. newspeak.house
Newspeak House
The London College of Political Technology
newspeak.house
January 27, 2026 at 8:44 PM
timdavies.org.uk
Just written to @simonforstroud.bsky.social to ask support for Early Day Motion 2650 calling for a 'UK digital sovereignty strategy' based on #openStandards & #interoperability: We need "ability to maintain, modify, and replace [our tech] without dependence on a single supplier
UK digital sovereignty strategy EDM (Early Day Motion)2650: tabled on 20 January 2026 Tabled in the 2024-26 session. This motion has been signed by 3 Members. It has not yet had any amendments submitted. Motion text That this House notes that government services, democratic functions and critical infrastructure increasingly depend on a small number of external digital suppliers; further notes that excessive concentration and inadequate exit or substitution planning expose the public sector to risks including service withdrawal, sanctions, commercial failure, geopolitical disruption and unilateral changes in service terms; also notes that existing government policy, including the Technology Code of Practice and Open Standards Principles, promotes interoperability, portability, reuse, access to source code and open source approaches to reduce supplier dependency, but that these principles are not applied consistently or in a binding way across government; believes that long-term resilience, continuity of public services and value for money require the Government to retain effective control over digital systems it funds or relies upon, including the ability to maintain, modify, and replace them without dependence on a single supplier; further believes that reducing supplier concentration through interoperable systems would strengthen competition, support UK technology firms and SMEs, and increase the proportion of public digital expenditure retained in the UK economy; and calls on the Government to publish a comprehensive UK digital sovereignty strategy with binding effect across central government, arm’s-length bodies, and the wider public sector, setting out how continuity of service and operational autonomy will be ensured in the event of supplier withdrawal, sanctions or external state action.
January 23, 2026 at 2:48 PM
timdavies.org.uk
So excited for this. Plans are really starting to come together and we have some great presentations linked up on #participation, #ArtificialIntelligence and #techGovernance
pairs.site Participatory AI Research & Practice Symposium @pairs.site · 24d
There's less than 1 month to go until our 2026 online event. Make sure you don't miss out by booking your ticket now.

If you need any motivation the draft schedule is now published and we've got a bumper 9.5 hours (across multiple timezones) of content.

🔗 www.pairs.site/PAIRS-Online...
PAIRS Online - 17th February | Notion
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www.pairs.site
January 22, 2026 at 2:42 PM
Reposted by Tim Davies
timdavies.org.uk
However, it is great to see such a strong connection between the views students shared in our distributed dialogues connectedbydata.org/ai-in-educat... and the updated product safety expectations. The real test though now is whether these expectations can be operationalised. (10/15)
Results image showing a graph of student 'top and bottom tools' for Gen AI in Education. We asked students to think about different AI tools for education. Top tools were those that put students in control of their own research, allow students to work at their own pace, and focus on personalised revision or reminders of the key things you need to learn. “[these] would support us without feeling like it was cheating or we weren't learning the information.“ AI for lesson planning and marking featured most commonly in the ‘bottom three’ of the rankings. “Work is something we put a lot of effort into and we feel it needs to be read by a teacher.“ Image showing student drawings about AI and text: "Creative feedback demonstrated how students feel about the importance of the student-teacher relationship, using AI to make lessons more engaging, and to support personalised and self-directed learning. Students want to be prepared to navigate a future world where AI may be ubiquitous, but where they can make choices about how to use it. " Groups voted on a set of statements about Generative AI in Education. Students could also suggest their own statements for others to vote on. We used the pol.is platform that creates distinct clusters of respondents and statements based on (a) bringing together groups that responded in similar ways to statements; (b) separating out groups that responded differently. Cluster 1: AI sceptics 24 groups – 49% This cluster said: AI use should not be compulsory; there should be restrictions on data sharing with AI, and on where AI is used. Cluster 2: Trusting users 16 groups – 33% This cluster said: AI must be accurate, and AI tools tailored for educational use. Then it can be a useful part of learning. Cluster 3: Self-assured users 9 groups – 18% This cluster said students should be allowed or encouraged to use AI and should take responsibility for being aware of its limitations.
January 20, 2026 at 9:36 AM
Reposted by Tim Davies
timdavies.org.uk

Many of the updates reflect discussions from the GenAI in Education: Have Your Say process - offering a powerful mandate from students for these expectations. Check out what students had to say in the video here connectedbydata.org/ai-in-educat... or the full report. (2/15)
AI in Education - Workshop in a Box
In Autumn 2025 over 1000 students provided input to the Generative AI in Education: Have Your Say process, sharing views on how Generative AI should be used in education.
connectedbydata.org
January 20, 2026 at 9:36 AM
Reposted by Tim Davies
connectedbydata.org
We are running a conference on 'Power and participation in public tech' and registration is now open to all.

📆 Friday 6th March
🕰️ 10:00 - 17:00
🏢 Manchester, UK

🔗 connectedbydata.org/events/2026...

(1/X)
Power and participation in public tech
This conference is for anyone interested in how to achieve better outcomes in the delivery of digital, data and AI work in the public sector through the involvement of the public, communities and workers. Come if you’re a public servant trying to engage or involve the public in your work on technology. Come if you’re working in civil society, in the union movement, or with grassroots groups, trying to be heard. Come to share what you’re up to, and to learn from others; leave with new insights, ideas, and connections.
connectedbydata.org
January 20, 2026 at 5:00 PM
timdavies.org.uk
Alongside the #GenerativeAI for #Education summit in London yesterday, the DfE updated their ‘Product Safety Expectations’ for #EdTech developers, and for schools to consider when deciding which tools are safe to use. www.gov.uk/government/p... A quick thread on the updates (1/15)
Generative AI: product safety standards
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www.gov.uk
January 20, 2026 at 9:36 AM
timdavies.org.uk
At the UK's Generative AI for Education Summit this am in London launching the results of @connectedbydata.org's distributed dialogue with students. @jenitennison.com playing out video of students from Denbigh High School in the opening panel to set frame of the day. www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XeN...
Generative AI in education: Have your say
In early 2026, the Department for Education will host an international summit on generative AI in education. Education ministers from countries around the world will join with international experts…
www.youtube.com
January 19, 2026 at 10:55 AM