Responsible AI in Public Services: Stakeholder Workshop at Umeå University, April 9, 2025

We were thrilled to launch the first in a series of stakeholder workshops dedicated to exploring how artificial intelligence can be responsibly integrated into public services. Hosted by the AI Policy Lab at Umeå University, the workshop brought together a diverse group of participants, including policymakers, researchers, public sector professionals, and industry experts, to reflect on current challenges and co-create strategies for the ethical and sustainable use of AI.

Picture 1: Workshop opening

The event, titled "AI Technologies in Public Service: A Workshop for Identifying Needs, Challenges, and Solutions", centered around the theme "Ensuring Ethical AI: Aligning Technology with Human Values." It aimed to examine the growing necessity of integrating AI into public services in ways that are both effective and socially responsible.

The workshop opened with a powerful keynote address by Prof. Virginia Dignum, titled "Ensuring Ethical AI: Aligning Technology with Human Values," which set the tone for thoughtful dialogue throughout the day. Dr. Henry Lopez-Vega offered an insightful regional perspective, highlighting the specific challenges faced in Västerbotten related to AI adoption in public services.

Picture 2: Virginia Dignum inspirational talk: "Ensuring Ethical AI: Aligning Technology with Human Values"

Picture 3: Henry Lopez-Vega insightful overview on AI challenges in Västerbotten

Breakout sessions gave participants the opportunity to explore pressing questions in small groups, including what the public sector truly needs from AI, what competencies are required from professionals facilitating this transformation, and how diverse stakeholders can come together to build public services that are not only smarter, but also more transparent, inclusive, and sustainable.  Insights gathered during the workshop will inform the design of an interdisciplinary master’s level study program focused on AI technologies for co-creation in the public sector.

Picture 4: Breakout sessions (hybrid)

We are especially grateful to the workshop organizers - Nina Khairova, Nina Rizun, Henry Lopez-Vega, Viktoria Movchan, Virginia Dignum and the whole AICOSERV project team - for creating such a well-structured, inclusive, and inspiring space for exchange.

The workshop attracted representatives from Swedish government organizations, healthcare and transport authorities, municipal education and social services institutions, as well as university staff and researchers. In total, the event brought together around 25 in-person participants and 30 attendees who joined online. We sincerely thank all participants for their active engagement, thoughtful contributions, and shared vision of co-creating responsible AI for the public good.

This is just the beginning — we look forward to continuing the conversation in our next workshops.

Kick-Off Meeting, 17-18.12.2024, Gdańsk, Poland 

On 17-18 December 2024, the AICOSERV project officially commenced with a highly productive Kick-Off Meeting hosted by Gdańsk University of Technology. The event brought together representatives from the project’s consortium to align on its objectives and establish a collaborative framework for implementation.  A group of people posing for a photo Description automatically generated

(From left to right in the photo)

Day 1 Highlights

The first day provided a foundational understanding of the project’s objectives, structure, and management. The meeting opened with welcoming remarks from the hosting institution’s leadership – Dr Marta Kuc-Czarnecka – Vice-Dean for Organization of Studies, Prof. Michał Tomczak – Vice-Dean for Cooperation and DevelopmentA group of people standing in front of a projector screen Description automatically generated

Prof. Tomasz Janowski – Head of the Department of Informatics in Management, followed by institutional presentations that showcased the consortium's diverse expertise.

Dr. Nina Rizun, the project coordinator, presented a detailed overview of the project’s vision, highlighting the necessity of transitioning to citizen-centered public services and the transformative potential of AI technologies. Key sessions covered financial management, risk and impact management, and quality assurance, emphasizing administrative and compliance requirements. Sustainability planning was a central focus, with discussions on securing Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters funding to ensure the program’s long-term impact.

Day 2 Highlights

The agenda revolved around Work package 1 (WP1), which includes nine tasks essential for the development of the program, such as analyzing the subject area, understanding stakeholder needs, and designing the curriculum and supporting mechanisms.

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Partners presented their approaches to the key tasks, discussing methodologies, expected outcomes, and timelines. Topics included the exploration of the context and needs for public service co-creation supported by AI, the preparation and execution of stakeholder workshops, and the integration of interdisciplinary learning approaches into the curriculum framework. 

The project team emphasized the role of collaborative workshops and interviews with practitioners to refine approaches, validate findings, and engage stakeholders. Detailed plans for preparatory activities, and conference/journal paper submissions were also outlined. The consortium collectively agreed on responsibilities for task leaders and timelines for deliverables. By addressing challenges, refining methodologies, and solidifying the project roadmap, the discussions set a productive tone for the upcoming phases of the AICOSERV initiative.

Main Outcomes
  1. Agreement on detailed timelines and responsibilities for project tasks.
  2. Commitment to workshop schedules for stakeholder engagement and validation.
  3. Development the plan for Call for Papers on curriculum design and operational mechanisms.
  4. Adoption of shared tools to align and refine task timelines.
  5. Emphasis on securing Ethical clearance for project activities

The Kick-Off Meeting underscored the consortium’s collective commitment to delivering an innovative and impactful educational program. Through collaborative discussions and strategic planning, the partners set a strong foundation for the project’s success.