AI in Government and Academia Summit 2025 Showcases Manchester Met’s Leadership in Ethical AI

 We at MetroPolis were delighted to host the AI in Government and Academia Summit 2025, bringing together around 200 policymakers, academics, and technologists to explore how artificial intelligence can be deployed responsibly and effectively for the public good.

The Summit, held at the University’s John Dalton Building and delivered in partnership with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), marked the third in-person gathering of the UK Government’s AI Community of Practice – now the largest network of its kind in the country, connecting over 4,500 members across 340 public sector organisations.

A National Conversation on Responsible AI

Welcoming delegates, co-chairs Dr Tommaso Spinelli (Senior AI Change Manager, Government Digital Service, DSIT and Research Fellow at Manchester Met) and Professor Keeley Crockett (Professor in Computational Intelligence at Manchester Met) emphasised the need for openness and collaboration.

“This Summit demonstrates what can be achieved when government, academia and communities come together to share knowledge and build trust,” said Professor Crockett. “AI must be guided not only by technical expertise, but also by the values and voices of the people it serves.”

Professor Darren Dancey, Head of the Department of Computing and Mathematics, underlined Manchester Met’s commitment to ethical AI. The University has embedded responsible AI principles across its teaching and research, from undergraduate and postgraduate curricula to pioneering initiatives such as the Centre for Digital Data Research (CDDR), the Centre for Digital Innovation (CDI) and the Manchester People’s Panel for AI.

Keynote Contributions

The morning featured keynote speeches from leaders at the intersection of research, government, and applied science:

• Professor Tom Crick MBE (Chief Scientific Adviser, Department for Culture, Media and Sport) set the tone by highlighting the role of culture, creativity and civil society in shaping trustworthy AI.

• Dr Antonio Cordella (London School of Economics) examined the institutional and ethical challenges of embedding AI in government practice.

• Dr Ed Steele (Met Office) shared insights into AI’s transformative potential for weather and climate science, emphasising how AI is reshaping forecasting and climate resilience.

Panel: Forging the Future Together

A central theme of the day was collaboration. A high-level panel discussion, Forging the Future: Cross-Sector AI Collaboration for Public Good, chaired by Madeline Hoskin (North Yorkshire Council), brought together:

• Phil Swan (Greater Manchester Combined Authority)

• Sherelle Fairweather (Manchester City Council)

• Dr Moira Nicolson (Cabinet Office and UCL)

• Professor Andy Miah (University of Salford)

• Professor Julia Handl (University of Manchester)

The panellists explored how cities and regions can work together to deliver inclusive digital transformation, the importance of public trust, and the role of data-driven innovation in tackling complex social challenges.

Showcasing Cutting-Edge Research

In the afternoon, breakout sessions showcased research projects spanning multiple sectors. Highlights included:

• The People’s Panel for AI, a Manchester Met and Manchester City Council collaboration, which empowers citizens to shape AI development in smart cities.

• Studies from the University of Manchester, the Alan Turing Institute, and King’s College London exploring open data, AI benchmarking, and real-time translation for local government.

• Case studies from Westminster City Council, the Scottish Government, and the University of East London on AI applications in housing, public reporting, and decision-making.

These presentations demonstrated the breadth of current research and its potential to directly inform government practice.

Citizen Voice at the Centre

The final keynote came from Professor Keeley Crockett, who presented People Powered AI: Amplifying the Citizen Voice in Academia, Public Sector, and Government. Drawing on her leadership of the Manchester People’s Panel for AI, she argued that inclusive consultation must be at the heart of responsible AI adoption.

“The future of AI in government will be shaped not only by researchers and civil servants, but by communities themselves” Professor Crockett stressed.

A Shared Mission

Closing the Summit, Dr Tommaso Spinelli reflected on the growth of the AI Community of Practice and the continued importance of bridging research with policy:

“AI is no longer an abstract future technology – it is being applied now, in critical areas such as health, education, and climate action. The challenge is to scale these innovations responsibly. Today’s Summit shows that government, academia and citizens can work together to make this happen.”

MetroPolis’ Role

MetroPolis played a central role in convening the Summit, building on its mission to connect Manchester Met’s research with policymakers and practitioners. By bringing together leading voices from across the UK, MetroPolis helped to ensure that evidence-led debate, community perspectives, and practical expertise were at the heart of the discussion.

As AI continues to transform public services, MetroPolis will remain a bridge between research and government, championing responsible innovation and amplifying the voices of Manchester Met’s academic community.