Insights from working with AI: design, research and engineering


Details
Join us as we delve into the valuable insights we’ve gained from our hands-on experience of working with AI for the UK Government. This Meetup will cover a breadth of topics that reflect our user-focused, multi-disciplinary approach, including design, research, and engineering. Talks include:
- Tactics for designers in the age of AI
- How to conduct user-centred research in the new world of AI
- Maintaining data privacy and performance when using LLMs
What can you expect to gain from this meetup?
- Invaluable Expertise: Gain access to a treasure trove of knowledge
shared by experts in product management, development, and
infrastructure. - Best Practices: Learn from those who have already navigated the complex terrain of AI implementation
- Inclusive Learning: Our talks cater to a diverse audience, ensuring that even those without a technical background can extract valuable insights from our technical sessions
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AGENDA
18:00
Networking, drinks & pizza
18.30
Welcome
18:35
Tactics for designers in the age of AI
Kuba Bartwicki, lead designer at the Government Digital Service (GDS)
Kuba will talk about his experiences working with AI, and reflect on what the future might look like for the next generation of digital products and for people who work on them.
19:00
How to conduct user-centred research in the new world of AI
Truly Capell, User Researcher at Caution Your Blast
Truly will share lessons learned from taking a user-centred approach to a
public-facing LLM-based government solution, particularly around setting user expectations, combatting preconceptions of AI, and building trust. She’ll cover how she gathered perceptions, came up with novel ways to test without actually using the tech, and how to reassure users with user-tailored design and content.
19:25
Maintaining data privacy and performance when using LLMs
Ali Salaman, Head of Engineering at Caution Your Blast
Ali will talk about different aspects of engineering LLM tools and the lessons learned from our current project with the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office. He will share insights on how to optimise and maintain performance, data privacy concerns using Azure OpenAI, and how you can lock down access to Azure OpenAI beyond standard API key access.
19:50
Wrap-up and more networking & drinks
20.30
Home time
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Speakers
Kuba Bartwicki, Lead Designer, Government Digital Service (GDS)
Kuba is a lead designer at the Government Digital Service (GDS), focussing on how we can use AI to improve how people interact with
government services and information. He’s been in government for a
while, but prior to that, he worked at Tate, start-ups, ran a music magazine, and made a whole bunch of websites. He writes on kubabartwicki.com and twitter.com/kubabartwicki
Truly Capell, User Researcher at Caution Your Blast
Truly is a User Researcher with experience across several government
departments. Through her user-centred research methods, she has been
central to the successful launch of 11 new services across GOV.UK that
has helped hundreds of thousands of British citizens. Truly is currently
championing the user in the fledgling world of user-centred AI through
Caution Your Blast’s work at the Foreign, Commonwealth, and
Development Office.
Ali Salaman, Head of Engineering at Caution Your Blast
Ali has hands-on experience of developing 3 Large Language Model tools, including on CYB’s current project with the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office. Ali’s background in the financial sector, specifically machine learning, means he brings a diverse range of thought across the piece.
Event host
Christine Fent, Head of Design, Caution Your Blast
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About this group
This is an open forum to share learning with each other. The group will become a regular session, so we are keen to hear from people interested in talking about AI in the public sector – particularly from a research, design, and usability perspective, and how we see AI supporting end-to-end services.
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Insights from working with AI: design, research and engineering