AI and Public Services

AI and Public Services

Author: UCL Political Science February 13, 2025 Duration: 42:48

Artificial intelligence is increasingly being touted as a game-changer across various sectors, including public services. But while AI presents significant opportunities for improving efficiency and effectiveness, concerns about fairness, equity, and past failures in public sector IT transformations loom large. And, of course, the idea of tech moguls like Elon Musk wielding immense influence over our daily lives is unsettling for many.

So, what are the real opportunities AI offers for public services? What risks need to be managed? And how well are governments—particularly in the UK—rising to the challenge?

In this episode, we dive into these questions with three expert guests who have recently published an article in The Political Quarterly on the subject:

Helen Margetts – Professor of Society and the Internet at the Oxford Internet Institute, University of Oxford, and Director of the Public Policy Programme at The Alan Turing Institute. Previously, she was Director of the School of Public Policy at UCL.

Cosmina Dorobantu – Co-director of the Public Policy Programme at The Alan Turing Institute.

Jonathan Bright – Head of Public Services and AI Safety at The Alan Turing Institute.

 

Mentioned in this episode:


Ever wonder what happens when sharp academic minds turn their focus to the headlines? UCL Uncovering Politics pulls back the curtain on the forces shaping our world, straight from the heart of one of the world's leading universities. This isn't a lecture series, but a series of conversations where complex ideas about power, culture, and society are made accessible and urgent. You'll hear researchers from UCL's Department of Political Science and School of Public Policy dissect everything from voting behaviour and international conflict to the philosophy underlying our social structures, connecting rigorous scholarship directly to current events. Each episode feels like sitting in on a fascinating discussion between experts who are as curious about the "why" behind political phenomena as they are knowledgeable. The podcast serves as a direct line to cutting-edge analysis, offering depth and context that goes far beyond the daily news cycle. By spotlighting the fantastic work done within the department, it provides listeners with a richer, more nuanced understanding of the mechanics behind culture, government, and the news we consume. Tune in for a thoughtful and genuinely enlightening exploration of contemporary politics, grounded in research but always engaged with the real world.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 161

UCL Uncovering Politics
Podcast Episodes
Restructuring The Constitution: A Hobbesian Thought Experiment [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:24
Constitutional reform is a recurring theme in UK politics. Debates regularly surface about changing the electoral system, reforming the House of Lords, or redefining the role of the courts. These conversations often focu…
The Nature of Constitutions and the Role of the Courts [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:28
Much contemporary debate centres on the respective roles of judges and politicians. Should constitutions empower courts to decide questions about human rights, or should such matters be settled by elected representatives…
The European Court of Human Rights: How Does It Work? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:29
The European Convention on Human Rights is often seen as one of the defining achievements of post-war Europe. Designed to protect fundamental freedoms and uphold democratic values, it has shaped the legal landscape of th…
The Machine Stops: Should We All Quit Social Media? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:36
Social media is woven into everyday life, yet growing concerns about its effects on mental health, public debate and personal wellbeing have led many to question whether it is worth staying online at all. With government…
Is It Ever OK To Discriminate Against White Men? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:22
In this guest episode from Philosophically Speaking, Emily McTernan and Jeff Howard explore a provocative question. Can white men be discriminated against, and if so, should the law protect them in the same way it protec…
Young People, Social Media and Harmful Content [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:45
News headlines are increasingly dominated by concerns about the harms young people face online. In late 2025, Australia introduced a ban preventing under-16s from accessing a range of major social media platforms. Here i…
Does Owning A Home Make You More Right Wing? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:20
For decades, political scientists believed that a person’s occupation was the strongest predictor of how they would vote. Manual, working-class jobs were associated with left-wing voting, while white-collar professions l…
A just post-colonial world [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:07
In today’s episode, we are joined by the author of a new book published by Princeton University Press. The book offers a bold reimagining of global justice, drawing on anticolonial thought to confront the unfinished work…