Debate the AI and Digital Divide, exploring identity, safety and inclusion, and our shared responsibility to ensure AI benefits everyone.
Agenda
12:00pm – Opening Address by Julia Adamson, Executive Director of BCS
12:05pm - Debate begins
1:00pm - Debate ends, AGM starts
1:30pm – AGM ends, Lunch and Networking
2:30pm - End
Synopsis
As AI becomes increasingly embedded in everyday life, could the AI Divide become an even greater challenge than the Digital Divide?
This debate will explore how access, identity, safety and inclusion intersect in the age of AI. The speakers will consider whether AI risks deepening existing inequalities and further disadvantaging people who are already digitally excluded - as well as those who may be online but lack the skills, confidence or support to benefit from AI safely.
The debate will examine two key motions: whether the AI Divide presents a greater challenge than the Digital Divide, and whether closing it is a societal responsibility rather than solely a technological one.
It will also consider the role of professional bodies such as BCS, alongside government, businesses, educators and civil society in ensuring that AI benefits everyone, not only the digitally advantaged. Join us to challenge assumptions, hear different perspectives and build a more joined-up understanding of our collective responsibility for creating a safe and inclusive AI-enabled society.
This is followed by the BCS Digital Divide Specialist Group's AGM. This hybrid event will take place at the BCS London office on 14 October, from 12:00 to 13:30, followed by lunch and networking.
Our events are for adults aged 16 years and over.
This meeting is conducted in accordance with the BCS Code of Conduct for Meetings.
BCS is a membership organisation. If you enjoy this event, please consider joining BCS. You’ll be very welcome. You’ll receive access to many exclusive career development tools, an introduction to a thriving professional community and also help us Make IT Good For Society. Join BCS today
If you are attending in person, please familiarise yourself with the Visitor Instructions for the BCS London Office.
Please note, if you have any accessibility needs, please let us know via groups@bcs.uk, and we’ll work with you to make suitable arrangements.
BCS privacy notice: your data will be processed by BCS in accordance with our data privacy notice.
Photography: by attending this event, you may be photographed or filmed. Please speak to a member of staff if you do not wish to be included.
For overseas delegates who wish to attend the event, please note that BCS does not issue invitation letters.
This event is brought to you by: Digital Divide specialist group
Supported by: BCSWomen SG and EMBRACE specialist group
