Foundation News

Foundation News

Managing the benefits and risks of Artificial Intelligence 

In January we gathered together a roundtable of expert voices from across academia and parliament to discuss Artificial Intelligence, particularly generative AI and how it might be regulated.

Organised by The Foundation of Science and Technology in collaboration with the All Party Parliamentary Group on the OECD, the roundtable saw a selection of thought leaders including Professor Helen Margetts OBE, Lord Tim Clement-Jones and Professor Sana Khareghani come together on the issue of Artificial Intelligence and global governance. The meeting was set up to coincide with the visit of the Deputy Secretary General of the OECD, Ulrik Knudsen, to London. Attendees took a deep dive into how to harness AI’s capabilities and its substantial risks, such as misinformation. Further discussion included regulatory choices, standardisation, speed, lingo and fairness, and where the UK fits into the emerging global picture. A full report of this roundtable event is available on our website.

The Foundation Future Leaders of 2024

We were delighted to welcome a new cohort of Foundation Future Leaders which include early and mid-career professionals across defense, animal science, space, government departments and policy leaders. With a wide range of experience, the 2024 cohort will be building their knowledge and networking within the science policy arena, learning from senior figures across government, universities and industry, and undertaking expeditions including a trip to UK Parliament, the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus near Oxford and the Snowdonia Space Port, later this year. 

Leaving no-one behind in the journey to Net Zero 

In February, the Foundation worked with the Institute for Community Studies and the British Academy to bring together experts from across national and local government, the research community and charity to discuss what is needed to ensure that no individuals or communities are left behind in the transition to Net Zero. In a roundtable discussion, participants explored the challenges of making greener choices easier and cheaper, the role of communities and local partners, and what decisions are needed at a national level. 

The roundtable was prompted by an FST’s event in November 2023 which explored progress on net zero transition in UK policy, science and innovation. This event revealed a gap in person-centred research, policy and strategy to build a just transition to net zero. In 2019, an independent review proposed that a public participation strategy was essential to the successful adoption of low carbon measures by UK communities. However no such strategy exists as yet. This roundtable asked how we can bring household and community policy together with net zero policy, technology, innovation and investment. Lord David Willetts chaired the event in his role as Chair of the FST and the chair of the APPG on net zero. Attendees included chief scientific advisors and senior policymakers from three government departments and Emily Morrison, Director of Sustainability and a Just Transition at The Young foundation’s Institute for Community studies, presented an overview of new research funded by the Nuffield Foundation looking at Our Journey to Net Zero in the round. A report of this session is available on the Foundation’s website in the events section. 

Master Keith Lawrey retires

In April, the Foundation said a fond farewell to our longstanding, and much respected Learned and Professional Societies Liason Officer, Master Keith Lawrey, in a retirement celebration at The Honourable Society of Gray’s Inn. The room was full of associates from across various societies and organisations who came to celebrate and listen to a flow of speeches and accolades about Keith’s tireless commitment to his work.

Keith has handed down the baton to our new L&P Societies Officer, Lori Frecker who comes to us from a background of senior diversity and inclusion roles at the Royal Society, Judicial Appointments Commission and the Law Society.

The Foundation’s hidden gem

The Foundation’s podcast has regularly been called it’s ‘hidden gem’ and continues to welcome a wide variety of expert guests across the science and policy sphere. New episodes include conversations with Professor Dr Jack Stilgoe, professor in science and technology studies at University College London, on driverless vehicles; Sleep therapist Dr Katharina Lederle on the science of sleep, and Dr Geoffrey Neale- Royal Academy of Engineering Research Fellow, about his work with composite materials within the aerospace and automotive industry, and how they can help us move towards the UK’s NetZero goals. We also have a variety of episodes on Artificial Intelligence and a special selection from senior figures in the world of science advice in Rwanda. You can listen to any episode on demand by visiting the podcast page on our website.