Our response to COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought new challenges to us all, and we are more convinced than ever of the need to work together, collectively, and collaborate to develop new responses.

At the Ada Lovelace Institute, we are responding in three ways: ensuring the wellbeing of our staff, collaborators and convened publics; continuing to work on our important programmes; and actively seeking to support the policy and practice ecosystem in thinking about how AI and data can accelerate a solution to this global healthcare crisis, while also ameliorating inequalities and supporting equitable access to care.

1. Ensuring the wellbeing of our staff, collaborators and convened publics
   We are responding to the need to be responsible to our own health and that of more vulnerable members of society, by working remotely. Working from home is something we do regularly – we’re an agile, technology-enabled organisation – but being a wholly remote team presents new challenges, and we’re exploring how to meet people’s professional and social needs while staying safe. We’ve also postponed all our public events, including our Citizens’ Biometrics Council, and are looking at new solutions to share thinking, exchange ideas and enable learning while we are unable to meet face to face.
2. Continuing to work on our programmes
   Our core programmes – Rethinking Data, Biometrics & JUST AI – are designed to contribute to thinking, practice and policy ensuring data and AI work for people and society. We believe they will play a vital role in shaping the future of technology, and we are reconfiguring our work plans to make the most of current opportunities for in-depth research and consolidation of findings.
3. Seeking opportunities to ameliorate the global healthcare crisis
   We recognise the benefits AI and data can bring to accelerating positive and equitable outcomes to this crisis that support individual and social wellbeing, as well as the need to continue to be vigilant to ensure technologies are designed, deployed and governed in ways that reflect considerations of social justice. Where we can add value, we will bring our strategic knowledge, skills and insights and provide research, guidance and practical tools to support responsible innovation.

We are fortunate to be supported by the Nuffield Foundation – an open, collaborative and engaged funder that supports projects that have a positive impact on people’s lives. Find out more about the Nuffield Foundation response here.

We’re doing everything we can to continue to contribute to the public good. All our staff can be contacted by email [initialsurname]@adalovelaceinstitute.org. If you have any questions, or suggestions for new ways we can help or support, do get in touch at hello@adalovelaceinstitute.org

Stay safe, and keep washing those hands.

The Ada Lovelace Institute team