AI Networks and Communities

Networks build awareness, generate inbound, and create coincidence partnerships.

techUK — AI and Data Analytics Hub

• Type: Industry body
• URL: https://www.techuk.org/accelerating-innovation/ai-hub.html
• Note: AI and Data Analytics Leadership Committee 2024–26 is invitation-only. Other AI working groups via the AI Hub are open to members.
• Engagement: University of Portsmouth corporate membership likely covers participation
• Action: Phase 1 Week 4 — confirm Portsmouth membership; identify accessible working groups

RAi UK Network (Responsible AI UK)

• See 02-Funding/UK-Public/RAi-UK for funding-side detail
• Network engagement: newsletter, events, working groups
• Action: Phase 1 — sign up for RAi UK community

Ada Lovelace Institute

• Type: Independent research institute
• Why relevant: £5m Nuffield-funded; BRAID partner; recent joint workshop with techUK on Responsible AI Profession (Sept 2025)
• URL: https://www.adalovelaceinstitute.org/
• Action: Phase 1 Week 4 — initial engagement email

AI Standards Hub (UK)

• Type: Community / platform
• Why relevant: Turing-led with BSI and NPL
• URLs: https://aistandardshub.org/ ; https://aistandardshub.org/global-summit-2026/
• Engagement: Free community account
• Action: Phase 1 Week 2 — register (already planned)

BCS — AI Specialist Group

• URL: https://www.bcs.org/policy-and-influence/artificial-intelligence-ai/
• Notes: BCS has 50+ specialist groups including AI; BCS AI policy team active
• Action: Phase 2 — join BCS AI Specialist Group as professional

Society of IT Management (Socitm)

• URL: https://socitm.net/ — Public sector IT leaders network
• Action: Phase 3 — relevant when public-sector KTP advancing

Open Data Institute

• URL: https://theodi.org/
• Notes: Data-rights and AI assurance work
• Action: Phase 2/3 — possible NGO partner for foundation funding

Tech London Advocates AI

• URL: https://www.techlondonadvocates.org/ — Volunteer professional network
• Action: Phase 2 — free join; useful for London-based events

IET — AI working groups

• URL: https://www.theiet.org/

AI Safety Communications Centre

• Operating via Conjecture / Apollo / AISI ecosystem

Conferences / academic communities

• FAccT — https://facctconference.org/ (CFP usually January for June)
• AIES — https://www.aies-conference.com/
• NeurIPS Datasets and Benchmarks track — https://neurips.cc/
• AI & Ethics journal (Springer) — https://www.springer.com/journal/43681

Engagement strategy

• Networks reward consistent low-effort participation, not big bursts
• Conference paper acceptance = highest-value participation; even reviewing is valuable
• Online communities (LinkedIn, Twitter/X) for visibility; in-person for relationships

Action plan

• Phase 1 Week 2: AI Standards Hub registered (already planned)
• Phase 1 Week 4: Ada Lovelace and techUK contact (already planned)
• Phase 2: 1 BCS event attended; 1 conference abstract submitted
• Phase 3: 1 conference paper submitted

Notes

• Networks are the lowest-cost path to inbound partnerships
• Treat them as compounding investments, not transactional pursuits