Socitm’s Share National wrestles with digital ethics

14 Sep 2020 02:05 PM

Socitm’s first Share National meeting of 2020 takes places this month with an intense series of sessions and some great guest speakers, presentations and discussions.

Online attendees will be focused on the ethical use of emerging technologies and data.

Providers of public services no longer lag in the adoption of emerging technologies. Local authority leaders are aware of technology trends and are attuned to identifying their potential in offering better access to services, and in targeting resources and better outcomes for their communities.

The event is timely as digital ethics have been sharply in focus recently, with reports of local authorities scrapping the use of algorithms for risk assessments when it comes to benefit fraud.

As local communities become more autonomous, councils are at the centre of co-ordinating solutions to specific needs through their place-based leadership and delivery. However, public services must be fair, be seen to be fair and offer value for money. ‘One size fits all’ is no longer an option.

Through a series of webinars, keynote speakers, panellists and members will investigate and analyse issues facing public service providers when evaluating, planning and implementing potential projects – issues that span ethical and secure use of emerging technologies and data from the perspectives of local authorities, as well citizens and service users.

Mark Lumley, Vice President of Socitm and Director Digital & IT at London Borough of Hounslow said: “Alongside public service providers keeping systems running as normal during the Covid-19 pandemic, they’ve also been doing the day jobs of designing and refining systems and services. Digital leaders are keeping on top of emerging trends, trialling systems and putting them to work, all with careful consideration for the particular needs of the public sector and the specific communities they serve.”

Read through the full agenda

For more details contact Communications Manager David Ogden: david.ogden@socitm.net