The inaugural BRAID Stakeholder Forum took place on 24 April 2026. Co-convened by all three BRAID partner organisations, the University of Edinburgh, Ada Lovelace Institute and BBC, the Forum brings together a group of representatives with diverse backgrounds, skills, expertise and knowledge which will help shape the direction of Responsible AI in the UK.
The Forum opened with a presentation from Professor Ewa Luger, Chair of Human-Data Interaction at the University of Edinburgh and a co-director for BRAID, who introduced the BRAID research programme to the group. Ali Shah spoke on behalf of the Ada Lovelace Institute, emphasising the importance of having spaces for robust debate on responsible AI and encouraging members to bring forward their unique perspectives, given the critical moment as AI advances and permeates our society. Octavia Field Reid introduced the Ada Lovelace Community Forum, which will run alongside the BRAID Stakeholder Forum and which shares a focus on community outreach and seeking a diversity of views on AI technologies.
Representatives of the BBC Research and Development team rounded out the presentations to Members. Antonia Kerle and Bronwyn Jones explained the BBC contributions to the wider BRAID project and introduced to Members the Responsible Innovation Centre, which runs deliberative work with the public, including questions around AI.
Forum members discussed issues that directly affect the networks, sectors and interests that they are part of and considered the direction of future Forums, including potential forum topics and opportunities for networking. The themes identified by members will shape the dedicated topics to be explored in future Forums alongside BRAID research.
BRAID Lead for Community Dr Nayha Sethi added after the meeting, “This first forum has demonstrated the wealth of expertise that the Forum Members bring with them, and we are very fortunate to have them on board to input into BRAID and the wider RAI ecosystem. It’s clear that there are many urgent issues on AI that need our attention and I’m looking forward to the conversations we will have together throughout the duration of the Forum.”
Independent Forum Chair Professor Karen Salt stated: “What a fabulous first meeting. From the minute we started, stakeholders eagerly delved into the issues that concern them and their communities. We are only just beginning our journey as a Forum and I look forward to more meaningful and constructive conversations about the present and future of AI.”
The next Forum meeting will take place in Autumn 2026. As work develops, we will be sharing updates from the Forum and its members. Visit the Stakeholder Forum page for more details.
Image credit: Rick Payne and team / https://betterimagesofai.org / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
