Hello, and welcome back to our monthly newsletter!

In April, we bid a fond farewell to outgoing Senior Digital Strategy Officer Stuart Pearson, Stuart has driven incredible work during his time with the team, and has continued to contribute to the Strategy over the last few months, playing an integral role in the delivery of projects such as AI for All. While Stuart's expertise, passion, and humour will be sorely missed, we can't wait to welcome a new member to the team later this month, who will take over the Senior Digital Strategy Officer role. Keep a close eye on our social media to be the first to find out more, and next month, expect to see a new face introducing this newsletter! 

We've also made some exciting progress on projects this month, although we can't yet reveal everything we've been working on! Coming up in September, you can expect to see the kick-off of our digital asset mapping project. Through providing data-informed insights into the differences in connectivity capabilities within the city centre, this work could help us to improve connectivity for more residents, ensure the equitable distribution of digital assets, and reduce carbon emissions.

In this month's newsletter, we're also sharing how tech hubs in Manchester are working together to drive innovations; reflecting on our experiences at Open Data Camp 9; and shining a spotlight on some of the great work being delivered in and by communities. 

Happy reading, and see you next month!

Last month, we were thrilled to contribute to the development of an innovative joint pitch event between tech hubs DISH & Exchange. We're proud to collaborate closely with Manchester's tech hubs as part of a regular working group. The event offered early stage founders the opportunity to receive constructive feedback on pitches and share their ideas  and experiences with others on similar journeys.

Tech hubs such as DISH & Exchange are vital to sustaining Manchester's culture of collaboration. Through providing early-stage businesses with the developmental support needed to succeed, hubs play an essential role in diversifying & driving the growth of our city’s tech economy.

The event offered an insight into the incredible opportunities that tech hubs provide to Manchester’s businesses; the uniquely creative ideas of our entrepreneurs; and the advantages of sharing experiences & expertise with those working in the same space.

If you're curious to find out more about the event, and how a culture of collaboration can drive better results for everyone, explore the full article by clicking the link below!

What is it like to be a member of the People's Panel for AI?

Over the last few months, we've been thrilled to share the progress of our People's Panel for AI project, developed in partnership with the Manchester Metropolitan University. The project aims to empower local residents with the skills and knowledge to meaningfully question the use of AI in public services. 

While we've followed the project from community roadshows to training days, and finally with panel members offering informed insights to service providers, we haven't yet shared the experiences of the people involved. Without the engagement, time, and expertise of all our wonderful community panellists, the project could not have been a success. 

It's been a privilege to hear about the benefits that joining the People's Panel has brought to its members. The positive impact of the experience is a testament to the importance of empowering communities to embrace new skills, and to create opportunities for them to meaningfully inform services likely to affect their lives. 

To explore videos of residents' reflections on the People's Panel for AI, scroll to the bottom of the article below!

In July, we were proud to sponsor Open Data Camp 9, an unconference devoted entirely to open data.

In simple terms, open data is accessible to the public and can freely used, reused, and redistributed. When used well, open data has tremendous potential to empower organisations, communities, and people to create solutions to key challenges in society and help make our city a better place for everyone to live. 

The unconference model can be more inclusive than a traditional conference by providing a platform for speakers who may not otherwise have opportunities to share their ideas in front of a large audience. With talks delivered by speakers at all stages of their careers & representing a variety of different sectors, an unconference can provide a window into different philosophies, experiences, & ways of working. Attending an unconference can guarantee an introduction to new voices & open up fresh approaches to shared challenges.

Events like Open Data camp are essential to creating space for honest discussions around issues that are important to our tech communities, encouraging collaboration, and supporting innovation.  

Visit Open Data Camp's website to find out more about their work, and to explore their liveblog recapping the weekend's sessions. You can also read more about our first year at camp over on LinkedIn!