The Centre for Digital Trust and Society was launched in 2021 to focus on interdisciplinary research expertise at The University of Manchester on the barriers and enablers of trust in digital technologies. On 5th July 2023, we were delighted to bring together a diverse range of academics and key partners from the public and private sectors at the Hyatt Regency Manchester. Our aim was to explore current challenges and opportunities in the UK and beyond, together co-creating an inclusive vision for the future.
Introduction and Keynote Speakers
Professor Nick Lord kicked off proceedings with an introductory speech welcoming the panellists and attendees to the Forum. The speech pressed the importance of interdisciplinary research and cooperation, outlining the range of academic perspectives across the Centre's six research clusters.
Nick Lord was followed by Professor Madeline Carr of University College London who gave a deeply informative and engaging keynote speech. Professor Carr further stressed the significance of cross-disciplinary work and the steps academics need to take to overcome the obstacles blocking wider academic collaboration. By focusing on the salient topic of artificial intelligence (AI) and its role in the future makeup of our society, Professor Carr provided the Forum with an enlightening keynote speech from which subsequent panels developed upon in great detail.
Panel 1
The first panel of the CDTS23 Forum focused on the security, legal and ethical considerations concerning the use of AI. Chaired by The University of Manchester Senior Lecturer Dr Andre Freitas, the panel engaged in lively and deeply relevant discussion. Key questions and issues raised included:
- How does media influence public perceptions of AI?
- What are the everyday societal impacts of the recent acceleration of AI?
- Does AI have the potential to fully understand and deliver solutions to core human mechanisms and issues?
- Can legal and governmental regulation keep up with the developmental speed of AI?
Panel 2
The second panel of the day featured an array of academics and industry experts all concerned with how new technologies are being used for widespread disinformation online. Chaired by American Studies Professor Peter Knight from The University of Manchester, the panel provided insight and stimulating debate into an increasingly pertinent issue. Key questions included:
- How is disinformation linked to the decline in trust between people and their government?
- How do we create and maintain a clear and precise definition of online disinformation?
- How would this help in informing experts and the public alike in how to tackle harmful disinformation?
- What are the specific methods and models we can use to undertake this task and how can we improve them?
Panel 3
The third and final panel of the Forum discussed a more hypothetical and forward-looking issue especially relevant to the Centre: what's next in digital security and trust? Chaired by Dr Louise Dennis from the The University of Manchester, it was comprised of prominent academics and researchers involved in fields varying from cryptography to AI. Key discussion points covered included:
- What are the most significant challenges in the field of digital security and trust?
- Should nation states be more transparent in their surveillance and cybersecurity methods?
- Where does liability lie in the event of a major software failure within an organisation?
Networking and canapes rounded up a hugely informative and captivating event. The day's speakers and panels sparked spirited and provocative conversations amongst our delegates from academia, public sector and industry, with conversations continuing into the evening. We hope that all attendees and contributors left with a broader network of interdisciplinary connections and a deeper understanding of the current challenges and opportunities that we face.
A huge thank you to all of our speakers for their time and expert input. We look forward to holding this event again in 2024.
If you are interested in joining future events you can sign up for our DTS mailing list and follow our Twitter account @UoM_CDTS. The University of Manchester's wider Digital Futures network is highly interdisciplinary and operates across the whole range of the University’s digital research - connect with us and keep in touch: