Policy Connect recently held its first parliamentary roundtable into giving citizens the digital skills they need to live and work in the age of artificial intelligence (AI).

Policy Connect’s new inquiry "Skills in the Age of AI" will explore the evolving landscape of citizen and workforce skills in an era increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence.

The inquiry, co-chaired by Lord Clement-Jones and Lord Chris Holmes, held its first parliamentary evidence session on 23 October 2024.

Evidence has been captured alongside Manchester Metropolitan University from a series of citizen roundtables held in Greater Manchester and Yorkshire. These roundtables identified the hopes and fears that citizens have about how AI is impacting their daily lives, at home and in the workplace. The evidence emphasises the importance of digital and cyber up-skilling for individuals throughout their lives so as to fully empower them in the age of AI. 

The inquiry will address digital/information literacy and skills for individuals and small companies, as they are most likely to feel left behind by the transformative effects of AI tools. Research will focus on the various innovative approaches and technologies that are can be used to give citizens, employers and professionals the digital skills they need to use AI in their daily lives and to help them prosper in the workplace. Policy Connect is gathering evidence and insights from stakeholders and experts to identify opportunities for policy solutions and interventions so that all can leverage the benefits of technological advancements.   

The inquiry involves a close collaboration across industry, academia and the third sector.  It will reach out to voices in all sectors. The objective is to produce actionable recommendations for government, educational institutions, and the private sector. It will build upon Policy Connect's previous work, including its 2023 report An Ethical AI Future – Guardrails and Catalysts to Make Artificial Intelligence a Force for Good.

Oona Muirhead, Policy Connect Fellow and author of Policy Connect’s previous reports on AI, said:

“The roundtables we held with citizens in Manchester and in rural Yorkshire showed that people are apprehensive about the impact of AI on their lives. They fear the ease with which bad actors can use AI to be constantly one step ahead of the game.  There is a huge appetite amongst people of all ages to develop their digital literacy and skills. This inquiry will draw out what needs to happen to help citizens exploit the many benefits of AI while protecting themselves from the risks of deep-fakes and frauds. Our previous inquiry called for a powerful single focus in a National AI Centre, bringing together and building on existing expertise as was done when the National Cyber Centre was created.  While the government has taken some steps towards our goal, in the absence of a powerful custodian it will be the more important that citizens themselves understand what AI can and cannot do for them, and what opportunities and risks it offers for them.”

The inquiry is kindly sponsored by Manchester Metropolitan University, ACCA Global, Microsoft UK, Zurich Insurance and Jisc.

For more information about the inquiry or to get involved, please contact Senior Researcher, Alyson Hwang (alyson.hwang [at] policyconnect.org.uk (alyson[dot]hwang[at]policyconnect[dot]org[dot]uk)).