Stellar new board appointed to lead world-first Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation
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Board chaired by Roger Taylor includes experts from academia and
industry such as Lord (Robert) Winston, world renowned expert in
fertility and genetics Confirmation of early projects the centre
will lead to support and enable ethical, safe and innovative uses
of data and AI Comes as the Government’s new Office for AI
announces it will work with the Open Data Institute (ODI) to
develop data trusts to help...Request free trial
In a major coup to cement the UK’s position as a
world-leader in the development of artificial intelligence, the
Digital Secretary Jeremy Wright will today confirm
Robert Winston, Dame Patricia Hodgson and Kriti Sharma are among
the expert advisers appointed to shape the work of the world’s
first Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation.
The Centre is chaired by the founder of healthcare data
firm Dr Foster, Roger Taylor. It has been established to
make sure the UK is leading the debate on how data-driven
technologies are used for the maximum benefit of society.
It will analyse and anticipate gaps in the governance
landscape, agree and set out best practice to guide ethical and
innovative uses of data, and advise government on the need for
specific policy or regulatory action. This will help make sure
new technologies and data are used responsibly so they support
the country’s businesses and society.
The Government will also today publish its response to the
consultation on the role and objectives of the Centre. There was
strong support from respondents and its first projects will
explore the use of data in shaping people’s online experiences.
It will also investigate the potential for bias in decisions made
using algorithms.
Announced in the Industrial Strategy and highlighted in the
£1 billion AI Sector Deal, the Centre is a further step forward
in realising the full potential of artificial intelligence in the
UK. Estimates suggest it could be worth as much as £232bn to the
UK economy by 2030.
Ahead of a speech at the Open Data Institute’s annual
summit, Digital Secretary Jeremy Wright said:
“We are a world-leader in artificial intelligence and our
modern Industrial Strategy puts pioneering technologies at the
heart of our plans to build a Britain which is fit for the
future.
“But it is crucial that the public have confidence it is
being used to improve people's lives and we have the right
expertise and framework in place to maximise its
potential.
“I am pleased we have secured global leaders from academia
and industry to work alongside us as we develop the world’s first
Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation.”
Roger Taylor, Chair of the Centre for Data Ethics and
Innovation, said:
“I am excited to have such a high calibre
Board in place to lead the Centre for Data Ethics and
Innovation. It is vital powerful data-driven
technologies such as artificial intelligence are deployed in the
interests of society while supporting innovation.
"I look forward to working closely with my new
board members to develop our work-plan and
prioritising the issues we need to
consider.”
Kriti Sharma, Vice President of Artificial Intelligence at
Sage Group, said:
"I'm delighted to be appointed to the Board and can't wait
to get started. Augmenting human skills with ethically designed,
data driven technology has the potential to help business thrive
like never before. Effective use can bring enormous benefits and
improve people's lives – saving them time, resources and enabling
them to become more productive.
“The Centre will play a key role in making sure we have an
environment which supports ethical innovation and position the UK
as a world leader in the development of AI."
From trust to practical and legal obstacles, organisations
looking to access or share data can often face a range of
barriers. To help solve this issue, Jeremy Wright will also confirm the
Government’s Office for AI – a joint unit between DCMS and BEIS –
will now work with the Open Data Institute to explore the future
potential of data trusts quicker and more efficiently.
A data trust will allow two or more organisations to share
data in a safe, fair and ethical way so they can work together to
tackle problems such as recycling, food waste or speeding up
construction projects. This may be a local council sharing data
on food recycling with a start-up firm, for example.
In a separate stand of work, the Government is working with
the Competition and Markets Authority to clampdown on the
practice of retailers targeting online shoppers and charging
people different prices for the same items, such as holidays,
cars and household goods.
The research, using anonymised customer data, will explore
whether and how personalised pricing exploits personal data
points such as a consumer’s address, marital status, birthday and
travel history for unwanted targeting.
The Government is also establishing an AI Council, chaired
by Cognition X’s Tabitha Goldstaub, to oversee implementation of
its AI Sector Deal, promote industry-to-industry cooperation in
the field, boost the understanding of AI in the business world,
and identify barriers to growth and innovation.
Business Secretary Greg Clark said: “Artificial Intelligence has rapidly become a part of everyday life – whether you use online banking, apps to hail a cab or for your weekly online shop. “Given the pace with which the industry is evolving, we must ensure that it continues to be used as a force for good, especially where it involves personal data. That is why I announced the establishment of the world’s first Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation as part of our modern Industrial Strategy. I’m pleased that such esteemed individuals, leaders in their fields, will be taking forward this important work.”
Jeni Tennison, CEO at the Open Data Institute said:
“At the ODI we believe everyone should get the best value
from today’s abundance of data. We welcome the launch of the UK's
new Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation and look forward to
working closely with Roger and his team to build an open,
trustworthy data ecosystem.
“Our work across the world has highlighted that alongside
getting value from data we need to retain trust in how it is used
and shared. Data trusts are a potential new way to help realise
the benefits of data while preventing any harmful impacts. We're
delighted to be exploring them further with the Office for AI to
find out where they might be useful.”
Notes to editors
Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation chair Roger Taylor
and Board member Kriti Sharma are available for interview.
Please contact DCMS Press Office on 0207 211 2090 to request an
interview.
Digital Secretary Jeremy Wright has appointed the
following individuals as the board for the Centre for Data
Ethics and Innovation:
- The Board was appointed through a fair and open
competition run by the department during the summer. The
appointment term is for two years from 26 November 2018.
- Dame Glenys Stacey will be starting her term in
February 2019.
- The Office for AI is based in central government and
responsible for overseeing implementation of the UK’s AI
strategy, policy and strategy.
- The Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation is being set
up as an independent adviser to Government to make sure the
country has a governance regime which fully supports ethical
and innovative uses of technology. It will deliver its work
through extensive engagement with industry, regulators, civil
society and the public.
- The AI Council, chaired by Cognition X’s Tabitha
Goldstaub, will oversee implementation of its AI Sector Deal,
promote industry-to-industry cooperation in the field, boost
the understanding of AI in the business world, and identify
barriers to growth and innovation.
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