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Q: Tell me about the Manchester Responsible AI Network.

Simon:
The Manchester Responsible AI Network (or MRAIN) is designed as an opportunity to bring together practitioners, academics, and SMEs from across the Northwest region who are involved or interested in AI. Our ambition is to facilitate discussion amongst experts and enthusiasts, using NatWest Group’s work to date in this area to highlight the importance of deploying AI responsibly.

Manchester and the Northwest of England is brimming with AI ambition and talent. We want the network to be a vital point of discussion, debate and best practice in the region, shaping the ethical and responsible future of this exciting and rapidly emerging field.

We recently launched the network at NatWest’s office in Spinningfields to a full and diverse audience, representing different sectors from across the region. The launch event centred around a fireside chat between Paul Dongha, NatWest Group’s Head of Responsible AI and AI Strategy, and Professor Keeley Crockett from Manchester Metropolitan University. Discussions focused on key topics, from AI governance and the environmental cost of AI to AI’s impact on the future of work.

Fireside chat with Paul Dongha, NatWest Group’s Head of Responsible AI and AI Strategy, and Professor Keeley Crockett from Manchester Metropolitan University.

Q: What inspired you to establish the network?

Lucy:
The inspiration comes from the parallels we see between the industrial revolution and today’s AI revolution. Manchester was a natural place to form this network because of its rich history of innovation and industrial leadership. It feels fitting to have a Responsible AI network here that can help guide this next transformative era.

Simon:
Adding to that, we noticed that many AI conferences and strong networks are centred in London. We wanted to change the perception that London is the only place where responsible AI expertise exists and showcase that the drive and talent to deploy AI responsibly is very much alive in Manchester and the wider Northwest region. Establishing MRAIN helps put our region on the map in terms of Responsible AI leadership.

 

Q: How does it relate to your roles at NatWest?

Lucy:
For me, it ties directly into the work I will be doing with the AI & Data Ethics (AIDE) Advocates programme, fostering a culture of responsible AI deployment within the bank and in turn, the communities we serve. Being involved in this network gives me the opportunity to tap into up-to-date academic thinking and best practice from different sectors. I will then be able to apply this learning as part of my role in the AI & Data Ethics Team, ensuring that the AI tools used by our customers and colleagues are ethical by design.

Simon:

NatWest Group’s purpose is to be the bank that ‘turns possibilities into progress’ and the AI & Data Ethics team align to that by aiming to ensure that we use AI for good when supporting our customers’ ambitions. We want to help ensure no one is left behind in terms of AI. That’s about bringing our local communities along on the journey of technological change, ensuring that everyone is prepared for the future through education.

MRAIN is an opportunity for us to use the knowledge and experience we have developed in AI and data ethics to raise the bar when it comes to the responsible use of AI in the region. Safer, more considered deployment of AI in the region benefits everyone – from boardrooms to customers, helping people to thrive in this changing technological environment.

Participating in events like this doesn’t just create networking opportunities; it opens minds and sparks new ideas.

Q: What do you hope the network can achieve?

Simon:
We have many ideas and have added even more with feedback we received at the launch event. A key goal is to bring together a wide range of people across the Northwest to showcase the talent, innovation, and exciting projects happening here. We want MRAIN to not only be a hub for local players in responsible AI but also to act as a beacon to other regions.

One of our ambitions is to share our experience by replicating our internal AIDE Panel (volunteers from across different grades and areas of the bank, who review AI use cases against our seven AI System Principles to assess them for ethical risks) within our community. We would like to include the diverse voices from MRAIN within this and invite SMEs to bring their AI use cases for expert ethical AI reviews and practical takeaways.

We’re also keen to replicate this model by creating more regional hubs that support all those using AI. Following the success of the Manchester event and the feedback we’ve received, we’re already considering similar networks in Edinburgh and Belfast. What we’re seeing is that in an environment of rapid technological change, the ongoing appetite for human connection and collaboration is just as important.

Ultimately, we want to bring people along on the responsible AI journey, fostering an ethically critical mindset within the community.

Q: Why is it important to make these connections regionally?

Lucy:
There’s significant value in face-to-face connection; it builds trust and opens doors that virtual interactions often can’t. The Northwest is also receiving major investment under the government’s Northern Growth Strategy, which makes it an exciting time to collaborate locally.

Participating in events like this doesn’t just create networking opportunities; it opens minds and sparks new ideas. Making these regional connections strengthens the AI ecosystem here and ensures the Northwest can compete and lead in responsible AI innovation.

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