Since its launch in December 2023, the UK Government AI Community has grown into a thriving cross-government network. With over 3,500 members from more than 300 organisations across central and local government, the community continues to connect colleagues, share best practice, and build AI capability in the public sector.
Following two successful in-person events — our first focused on AI in government and the second in partnership with industry—we are now excited to announce a third major gathering: our first conference focusing on AI in Government and Academia.
This will be a one-day conference taking place in Manchester on Thursday 11 September 2025 and co-chaired by myself, and Keeley Crockett, professor in Computational Intelligence at Manchester Metropolitan University and Chair of the IEEE Technical Committee SHIELD (Ethical, Legal, Social, Environmental and Human Dimensions of AI/CI).
This event reflects the growing appetite for closer collaboration with academic institutions, in line with the AI Opportunities in Public Services Action Plan’s mission to strengthen ties between government and research. The aim is to bring together public servants, researchers, and technologists to explore how academic insights and public sector challenges can inform one another— maximising the real world impact of research to drive responsible, ethical and effective use of AI in government.
About the event
The conference will be held at Manchester Metropolitan University and co-hosted by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and The Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU). The conference will feature:
- keynotes from thought leaders in government and academia
- peer-reviewed research presentations
- a panel session exploring future cross-sector collaboration
This is an opportunity to showcase real-world projects and applied research that use AI to improve public services, inform policy, and deliver impact.
Call for Papers now open
We’re inviting paper submissions that demonstrate how AI is being used responsibly and effectively in ways that benefit government and society. Topics include, but are not limited to:
- sustainability and data intelligence
- AI safety and risk in autonomous systems
- human-machine trust
- responsible AI and public perception
- applications of AI in public services, economics, politics and more
Papers should be no more than 10 pages, follow the provided template, and highlight how the work supports the delivery or improvement of public services. The deadline for submission is Friday 15 August 2025.
All papers will be peer-reviewed, and selected submissions will be presented at the conference. Accepted papers may also be considered for publication in the AI Insights series on GOV.UK.
How to register
You can reserve your ticket for free through our dedicated registration page. Please note that, due to limited space, attendance is restricted to individuals working in the public sector. This includes professionals from central and local government, councils, fire and rescue services, police, the NHS, academia, and the broader education sector.
Get involved
We encourage colleagues from both government and academia to take part—whether by submitting a paper or attending the event. This is a great opportunity to showcase your work, gain new insights, and connect with others driving the future of AI in public services.
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