Cambridge Launches AI-Focused Policy School to Shape Future Governance
Cambridge's New AI-Policy School: The Future of Smart Governance
A new era in AI-powered policy making is underway at the University of Cambridge. This fall, the university will open The Bennett School of Public Policy, its first big academic department of the 21st century. The school will examine how artificial intelligence (AI) can power economic growth and transform decision-making in the private and public sectors.
Bridging Policy and Technology
The world is moving quickly, as are the dilemmas policymakers contend with. Be it AI and its effects on employment or how it can serve in governance, the solutions have to be cleverer, inclusive, and evidence based. Cambridge Vice-Chancellor Prof. Deborah Prentice stressed that the new school would unite specialists across fields to confront some of today's most critical policy issues.
"Those days are behind us when policy was made in silos," observed Dame Diane Coyle, Bennett Professor of Public Policy. "AI adoption, regional development, and economic resilience are issues which need cross-cutting collaboration."
The school's research will center on using AI to benefit business and government, while exploring its applications and ethical implications. Part of a central initiative is collaborating with the UK Civil Service to enhance AI workflows so that government procedures become more efficient and transparent.
Training the Next Generation of Policymakers
One of the most important objectives of the Bennett School is to cultivate leaders who are technologically informed and socially conscious. In this data-driven world, policymakers cannot afford to ignore AI and its consequences—it is a requirement.
“The UK and EU need policymakers who are smart data consumers,” Dame Diane explained. “We must skill-up a generation that understands data governance and can navigate AI’s complexities.”
This effort reaches beyond the classroom. Researchers at the school are developing means of linking UK mayors and devolved leaders, creating cooperation among regions. The emphasis is on solutions that deliver—policies that stimulate economic growth while being fair and sustainable.
Why This Matters
Essentially, this new school is about using AI for the greater good. AI is not all about automation and algorithms; it's about using technology to create policies that improve lives. From stimulating business to renewing local economies, to making government smarter, the Bennett School wants to shape the agenda for an ever-changing world.
Michael Kenny, Cambridge Professor of Public Policy, put it best: "With its location at the center of Cambridge, this school will host specialists in sustainable economics to quantum computing. Our goal is to educate leaders who can lead 'good growth'—equitably shared, inclusive, and sustainable."
Looking Ahead
With AI dominating everything from work to government, what is happening at the Bennett School will make a lasting difference. The question now is not if AI can be included in policy making, but how best to utilize it for responsible and effective policy development. As governments across the world seek to confront this challenge, Cambridge's newest project may well be the gold standard for policy creation using AI.
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https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c14jj3k56j2o
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