In 2021, EHRC was confronted with the complex task of charting a course through the evolving terrain of Artificial Intelligence (AI), emerging technologies, and online safety. They needed strategic recommendations to inform their upcoming Strategic Plan for 2022-2025, with a particular emphasis on these intricate and impactful technology domains.
Our response to this multifaceted challenged unfolded in a comprehensive four-phase discovery process. Collaborating closely with EHRC’s Strategy Hub and AI Working Group, we leveraged our expertise in the following ways:
We initiated the project with a comprehensive evidence review, dissecting over 45 sources to unearth vital themes and trends within AI and emerging digital technologies. Next, we delved into the identification and prioritisation of more than 25 use cases that had the potential to support equality and human rights across diverse sectors. We crafted a robust prioritisation framework to determine the most impactful and actionable use cases, ensuring that EHRC’s efforts would yield meaningful results.
Recognising the critical need to foster strategic partnerships, we undertook an expansive stakeholder mapping and engagement process. Our efforts led to the identification of over 50 relevant organisations across a diverse array of entities, including UK regulators, international organisations, civil society groups, and academic institutions. The culmination of our work resulted in the creation of a Theory of Change. This framework seamlessly aligned with EHRC’s comprehensive end-to-end model, delineating the various levers necessary to achieve key outcomes and instigate behavioural impact.
The impact of our collaboration with EHRC was substantial. Our core recommendations were not only embraced but also played an instrumental role in shaping a groundbreaking AI programme. Specifically, these recommendations became a pivotal component of EHRC’s Strategic Plan for 2022-2025, with a keen strategic focus on addressing four priority use cases. This positions EHRC to expertly guide and uphold equality and human rights within the ever-evolving landscape of AI, emerging technologies, and online safety.
Authors
Partnering with DCMS to operate the UK’s first Safety Tech Challenge Fund - a groundbreaking grant programme aimed at empowering safety tech innovation to enhance child online safety
Developing recommendations grounded in leading industry insights to empower DSIT to support the SafetyTech sector’s growth effectively and navigate potential challenges
Empowering DSIT to assess the Online Safety Bill’s effectiveness with a flexible M&E framework informed by robust research
Researching accreditation approaches across the technology sector to develop recommendations for a tailored accreditation process for the online safety tech industry
Comprehensive research to equip Ofcom with a deep understanding of online content accessibility via search services, informing online safety guidance
Crafting a comprehensive Interactive Services (IS) Model to provide Ofcom with a common framework for understanding user journeys and platform workflows
Conducting a detailed analysis of the emerging SafetyTech sector to enable DCMS to make informed decisions and continue supporting the sector’s expansion
Mapping the current state of the Age Assurance market, identifying representative use cases, and key challenges to help DCMS gain a more in-depth understanding of a rapidly evolving technology sector
Researching the existing taxonomy, prevalence, legislative and regulatory landscape, and emerging trends related to Child Financial Harms
Developing a ‘minimum-viable product’ for a standards framework to assess online safety compliance solutions
Through mixed methods user research we mapped the prevalence and impact of OVAWG, identified key dynamics characterising how these harms occur, and categorised 18 harm types.
Researched innovative design approaches that can support the safety of women and girls on online platforms and services.
Research, system-mapping and recommendations for Nominet's fund combatting illegal online harm.
Facilitating data access to catalyse innovation in the Safety Tech sector
