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Hello, and welcome back to our monthly newsletter.
With less than a month to go until our AI Unconference - and plans with Nexer Digital already well underway for the event - our excitement has only been building. We've lined up an amazing introductory speaker to set the tone for the day, but we can't tell you what might be next on the agenda! The unconference format offers everyone a voice, and we can't wait to learn from, collaborate with, and learn from our incredible attendees. Tickets for the event are now sold out, but if you're still keen to join us, be sure to add your name to our waitlist. To those that are already signed up - we look forward to seeing you there!
It's been an equally action-packed start to the year for our Digital Inclusion team, with community partnerships, learning opportunities and inspiring events all driving efforts to close Manchester's digital divide. Learn more about how the team has been supporting communities and residents across the city to access the benefits of being online by exploring their Monthly Round-Up on LinkedIn.
We've also been lucky enough to attend several fantastic events from incredible organisations across Manchester's tech ecosystem. We were thrilled to be invited to attend Digital Her Day, part of Manchester Digital's annual Digital Skills Festival. Bringing together an incredible community of women, non-binary people and allies to explore how the city's tech community could better drive diversity and inclusion, the day's discussions left us with renewed ambition to shape a fairer future for everyone in Manchester. If you missed out, make sure to catch-up on the highlights from the event in Manchester Digital's full event round-up.
In this month's newsletter, we're also sharing an exciting opportunity for innovators passionate about women's health; reflecting on outcomes from our latest People's Panels sessions; and highlighting a valuable new resource for researchers and R&D professionals working with communities.
Happy reading, and see you next month!
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Are you passionate about the future of women’s health?
At Manchester City Council, we're thrilled to be sponsoring Diverse & Equal and UK Black Tech’s Women’s Health Design Jam on 5th March 2026 - a full-day, hands-on experience bringing together curious, creative, and mission-driven people to explore real-world challenges in women’s health.
Across the day, you’ll gain practical experience in research-led innovation methods, connect with fellow innovators, and co-create new ideas in a supportive, collaborative environment.
Whether you’re a resident, researcher, healthcare worker, community organiser, the design jam is open to anyone – and everyone! – who cares about closing the UK’s gender health gap.
You don’t need a start-up idea or prior entrepreneurial experience to take part. If you’re passionate about women’s health, and have ideas that could make a real difference, we'd love for you to join us at the event!
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This January, we were excited to host two People's Panels with our ICT and Resident and Business Digital Experience Programme (RBDxP) teams.
Facilitated by the brilliant team at Manchester Metropolitan University & generously hosted by DAC Beachcroft, January’s panel sessions brought together communities & organisations to explore the real-world implications of emerging AI tools.
Kicking off the day, our AI & Automation team shared outcomes from their recent automated transcription pilot, helping social workers to save time when recording meeting notes. In the afternoon, our RBDxP team showcased early concepts for automated fly-tipping detection, which could reduce the need for residents to complete lengthy online forms when reporting dumped rubbish.
Panellists shared valuable insights on the proposed projects, including potential benefits and risks. Their feedback will be used to inform the future development of Manchester City Council's services, helping to ensure our digital services are ethical, inclusive and human-centered.
Listening to residents is essential to building services that genuinely serve local needs. Through challenging assumptions, offering fresh perspectives & sharing lived experiences, community voices could help services to adopt approaches to AI that are ethical, equitable & people-centred - making Manchester a better place to live and work.
To read our full reflections on a fantastic day, head over to the link below!
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This week, we spent an inspirational afternoon at UA92 for the regional heats of the Cyber Leaders Challenge.
The national competition challenges student teams to respond to real-world cyber emergency scenarios, preparing a briefing note and presentation for a panel of judges working across government, industry and academia.
We were blown away by the students' drive, creativity and professionalism in presenting - and defending - their solutions. It was a privilege to meet so many ambitious, talented young people passionate about pursuing a career in cyber.
Events such as the Cyber Leaders Challenge are crucial to empowering the next generation of talent to develop new skills, forge valuable connections and explore career opportunities.
We're grateful to have played a part in supporting the cyber leaders of the future - and excited to see where these incredible young people they will go next!
Find out more about the Cyber Leaders Challenge, or learn how you could get involved, by clicking on the link below.
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 PEAs in Pods Training Resource
A free training resource has been launched to support researchers, students and R&D professionals working in AI and data-driven technologies to meaningfully engage with, learn from, and collaborate with communities impacted by their work.
Drawing on cross-disciplinary research and practice, the PEAs in Pods training modules have been designed in response to the unique context of AI and DDT. The training aims to offer a practical guide to developing research, products and services that are more ethical, effective and inclusive.
Find out more about the PEAs in Pods project, or explore the training resource by heading over to the link below.
NatWest x Nespresso Morning Mixers
Looking for a regular networking event?
The NatWest Business Accelerator has teamed up with Nespresso UK to offer founders and innovators in Manchester a space to connect, reflect and meet others on their entrepreneurial journeys.
Mixers take place on the first Tuesday of every month at the NatWest Accelerator Hub, from 9:30 - 10:30. Come along to enjoy great coffee and even better connections!
Find out more, or sign up for an upcoming event, by clicking on the link below.
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Digital Inclusion Good News
The Digital Inclusion team had a fantastic day running an AI 'Train the Trainers' workshop on Wednesday 21 January with Professor Keeley Crockett and Dr Mohammed Kaleem from Manchester Metropolitan University.
Joined by 17 attendees from local Manchester VCFSE organisations, the workshop offered a chance to explore the risks, ethics and opportunities of AI and discuss how it could support local services.
A huge thank you to everyone who took part and helped make the day a success. Understanding AI is an important part of digital inclusion, and we’re excited to see how attendees put their learning into practice.
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Every month, we'll be sharing updates, news, and opportunities from the Digital Strategy Team, our partners, and the wider digital ecosystem. Whether you're interested in collaborating, have questions, or simply want to learn more about our ambitious vision for Manchester's digital future, we'd love to hear from you!
If you've got a story to share, get in touch with us at:
manchesterdigitalstrategy@manchester.gov.uk
Or discover more ways to reach us below:
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