From Ethics to data trusts and data empowerment in general

My work has always been animated by a commitment to bridge the gap between theory and practice. 

Following my fellowship at the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Studies (Harvard University, 2004-05), I became particularly interested in the ongoing effort to articulate the values presiding over the Palestinian law-making endeavour, and the role which the concept of “secular faith” may play in this context, bolstered by my being able to access and discuss these issues with members of the constitution-making committee as well citizens of East Jerusalem.

In 2009 I set about creating the UCL Centre for Ethics & Law. Launched in Oct. 2009, in collaboration with a varied team of supporters (E&Y, HSBC, Shell, Nestle, BAE, AstraZeneca, Carillion, EBRD), the aim of the centre was to build a more active, two-way conversation between the academic and non-academic communities on fast-changing ethical issues through a series of think-tanks.

Since then I have contributed to a variety of public policy initiatives or events, below are some examples:

• In 2018-19, I was one of 3 appointed commissioners on the Public Policy Commission on the use of algorithms in the justice system (Law Society of England and Wales). 

• My data trusts work has also led me to become a member of the Data Trusts steering group, which produced its report - under the aegis of the Ada Lovelace Institute & UK AI Council - in March 2021. I have also acted as an expert for the UK’s DCMS Department on the development of data governance infrastructure and data altruism and contributed to several panels and reports for the European Commission on data empowerment.

• As a Mozilla fellow (2020-2022) I supported the development of the Data Futures Lab.

• On 22d June 2021 I acted as a witness for the House of Lords Justice and Home Affairs Committee on New Technologies for Law Enforcement. Find out more.

• Since July 2023, I have been invited to contribute to the Swiss Call for Trust and Transparency in AI (Swiss Foreign Ministry of Federal Affairs and ETH AI Zurich). This has given rise to the International Computation and AI Network (ICAIN) which was launched at the WEF 2024.

• I have also contributed to a variety of panels and/or reports. A few recent examples: October 2023: panel on 'shaping the future of AI' organised by GESDA Global in Geneva. July 2023: 'Council for a fair data future', convened by Aspen Digital in collaboration with Ford Foundation and Omidyar Network.