Data Ethics

Supporting boroughs to reliably make sound ethical decisions about using data in the right way to do the right thing.

Jump to: Introduction Collaborators Resources Project Timeline
Status: Live

Introduction

LOTI recognises that the data that councils collect and use is one of their most valuable assets. Used intelligently, it can help them make better decisions, drive service improvements and better serve their residents. However, councils are acutely aware of the need to use data not just legally but also ethically, transparently and in a way that is worthy of their residents’ trust.

Infographic of all 16 of LOTI Data Ethics Recommendations

The public sector is still developing the processes, tools and governance to do data ethics well and LOTI aims to accelerate this process by bringing together best practice from across the public sector and internationally and distilling key insights into actionable steps for London Boroughs, through a Data & AI Ethics Capabilities Framework. This framework compiles all the different governance resources produced by other partners in one single place, to guide councils on their own Ethics journey.

London Data Ethics Service

To help develop these tools and processes in local government, LOTI has created a hands-on London Data Ethics Service. To learn more about and access the Data Ethics Service, please visit the dedicated resource page.

Collaborators

Resources

Recommend -ations for Data Ethics Capabilities

Councils need to be able to collect, share, analyse and innovate with data in a way that their residents expect of them. To help guide them in the development of their data ethics capabilities, LOTI has developed 16 recommendations.
London Data Ethics Service

The London Data Ethics Service has been established by LOTI as part of our aim to help boroughs identify and navigate the ethical issues within their current data projects, and improve their capability to manage these issues themselves in the …
Data Ethics Case Study Library

LOTI have collected a range of case studies from different government organizations, both local, national and international, detailing different approaches to data ethics.
How to Establish A Data Ethics Governance Board

A collection of resources that document the data ethics board and accompanying processes that Brent has established to govern data projects
Putting Data Ethics into Practice

LOTI has developed 15 recommendations for local government to develop their data ethics capabilities, building on a review of existing ethical principles from around the world. ‘Data ethics’ refers to how we collect, share and use data, and so goes …

Project Timeline

Research Launch: Humans in the Loop: What should the role of officers be in AI-powered public services?

LOTI is starting a new research project at the intersection of our AI and Data Ethics work, critically examining the concept of ‘humans-in-the-loop’.

A collage featuring a vintage illustration of a woman’s head mapped with labeled sections resembling a phrenology chart. The mapped sections are overlaid by a neutral network diagram– depicting crisscrossing black lines. Two anonymous hands extend from the left side, pulling on two wires from the diagram. In the background is a panel of the Turing Machine with numerous knobs and switches, highlighting a connection between the history of computing, psychology, biology, and artificial intelligence.

Webinar: Embedding Data Ethics in Local Government

On December 8, 2023, LOTI hosted a webinar with speakers from New York, Amsterdam as well as London. To our knowledge, this is the first-ever webinar to together global cities to explicitly discuss the role and importance of data ethics in local government. To watch the webinar, please visit Youtube.

Recommendations for Data Ethics Capabilities

Councils need to be able to collect, share, analyse and innovate with data in a way that their residents expect of them. To help guide them in the development of their data ethics capabilities, LOTI has developed 16 recommendations. This page is the final (living) set of recommendations, following consultations with experts and peers.

Infographic of all 16 of LOTI Data Ethics Recommendations

London Data Ethics Service

LOTI members can apply for practical help from LOTI through the new London Data Ethics Service, which aims to help boroughs to navigate ethical issues within data projects now, and improve boroughs’ capacities to navigate those issues themselves in the future.

[Draft] Data Ethics Recommendations and Principles

LOTI have made 15 recommendations for local government organisations to help guide the development of their data ethics capabilities. These recommendations are founded on LOTI research on value-based principles, and draw on the best-practice examples of principles from around the world in a complementary guide for local government organisations.

Data-Ethics-Capabilities-Framework-Draft-1

22/02/2022

[Draft] Data Ethics Capability Framework for Local Authorities

This document details LOTI’s initial thinking about what different capabilities organisations are developing to make more ethical decisions about data and its use. It forms the basis of our thinking as we develop a more tangible model of recommendations and actions for local authorities who exploring how can they make more ethical decisions.

21/01/2022

Data Ethics Case Study Library

LOTI have collected a range of case studies from different government organisations, both local, national and international, detailing different approaches to data ethics.

12/10/2021

How to Establish A Data Ethics Governance Board

Through a series of interviews with Brent Council we have created a high level guide to setting up a Data Ethics Governance Board. The resources include a case study of the Brent approach, a reference process map and ethics board check list.

The library will be updated with new case studies as they are completed.

17/09/2021

Deliberative Resident Engagement at Camden

LOTI supported Camden to complete their deliberative engagement with residents to understand their attitudes to data use by the council. The research has gone on to inform the Camden Data Charter.

Understanding Residents' Attitudes To Camden Council's Use Of Data Report Reply (1)

12/03/2021

Data Ethics – Show and Tell

Brent and Camden share their emerging work on data ethics. Featuring Brent’ proposal for a Data Ethics Board and Camden’s Data Charter designed through an ongoing dialogue with residents. Slides available here.

14/02/2020

Workshop 1

The objective of this workshop was to engage with LOTI boroughs and external partners in order to: a) review existing resources and assess whether they meet boroughs’ current and emerging needs, b) explore how these tools can be reliably embedded in organisations’ processes and ways of working c) agree potential pilots where boroughs can trial the use of existing resources and provide feedback on what works. See summary and slides.

Summary Notes_ Innovating responsibly with Data and AI
February 14, 2020

Project Kick-off

Join the LOTI conversation

Sign up for our monthly newsletter to get the latest news and updates

Follow us:
© 2020 London Office of Technology & Innovation