Deadline: 3-Jul-24
The Public Voices in AI Fund invites proposals for projects which seek to ensure that uses of AI are informed by the voices of people underrepresented in or negatively impacted by AI.
The Public Voices in AI Fund is part of Public Voices in AI, which aims to ensure that public views and voices are front and centre in all uses of AI. Public Voices in AI builds, shares and reviews knowledge and understanding about public views on AI and encourages a range of AI users and stakeholders to engage diverse communities in AI uses, research, development, use and policy-making.
Public Voices in AI is funded by RAI UK (which is funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)). It is a collaboration between the Digital Good Network at the University of Sheffield, the Ada Lovelace Institute, the Alan Turing Institute and University College London.
Short-Term Objectives
- There is increased understanding of public views and experiences of AI amongst AI researchers, developers and policy-makers, especially of how underrepresented groups are differentially impacted by AI and the subsequent need for equity-driven approaches.
- There is increased understanding of the value of meaningful inclusion of public voice amongst beneficiary groups and increased methodological capacity to do so. AI researchers, developers and policy-makers are engaging more systematically with public voice research.
- The programme has demonstrated good practice in how to engage underrepresented communities in developing, co-designing and producing AI public voice research.
- People from underrepresented groups have participated in AI research, development and policy-making and in shaping this project.
- Some members of the public, especially from underrepresented groups, have developed their capabilities to engage meaningfully in AI research, development and policy-making.
Funding Information
- They will make a maximum of £170,000 available to fund a range of projects.
- They envisage funding 4-6 projects of up to £50,000.
What they’re looking for?
- They invite proposals for funding for projects which seek to ensure that uses of AI are informed by the voices of communities underrepresented in or negatively impacted by AI.
- They want to support projects that are developing new ways of engaging communities in dialogue about how AI is used and implemented.
- They will support projects which address the impacts of AI on underrepresented groups or which identify ways in which AI could be used to reduce discrimination and bias.
- Proposals should be led by organisations in the VCSE Sector that are led by or work with groups and people negatively affected by or underrepresented in AI. These include, but are not limited to: racialised minorities; low-income groups; LGBTQ+ groups; women; people with disabilities; people dependent on public sector support (eg Universal Credit); migrants, refugees and asylum seekers; people with experience of homelessness, clinical, financial or other vulnerabilities. They welcome proposals that explore multiple disadvantages.
Longer-Term Desired Impact
- Public voice informs AI research, development and policy-making. There is more engagement from AI researchers, developers and policy-makers with people affected by AI technologies, and more public voice evidence cited in policy documentation and industry codes of practice.
Activities
- Proposed activities must:
- be a form of participation or participatory research that goes beyond merely consulting towards involving and empowering groups or communities so that they are able to effect change;
- build on existing work and/or relationships with underrepresented communities;
- aim to address unequal power dynamics between underrepresented groups and AI decision-makers;
- be undertaken in ways that foster an equitable and ethical participatory environment (for example, fair and proportionate pay for participants’ time, a commitment to providing a return to the communities engaged, a trauma informed (if appropriate) and/or non-extractive approach).
- Proposals can build on existing activities which are already being undertaken. For example, proposals may seek to improve methods already in use, to scale up activity already underway, to support communications and dissemination of existing activity, or to amplify impact.
Eligibility Criteria
- Applications must be submitted by one lead applicant and can include multiple team members.
- They invite applications from lead applicants in the VCSE Sector. The lead applicant’s organisation should be either:
- a charity, civil society or community group working directly with participants who have lived experience of under-representation in or negative outcomes from AI,
- a social impact and social enterprise organisation. They are particularly interested in supporting applications from organisations that are led by the communities they seek to serve.
- The lead applicant’s organisation must have financial and administrative capacity to manage the grant, including a company bank account. Awards will be conditional upon passing due diligence checks.
- Applicants should demonstrate that they have established relationships with groups negatively affected by or underrepresented in AI.
- All team members and projects must be UK based.
For more information, visit Digital Good Network.