We're delighted to be working with The National Lottery Community Fund and UK Community Foundations on a new £3m initiative designed to help UK communities shape the future of AI, and to strengthen the role VCSE organisations play in this. Read the press release here.
The programme consists of two strands:
- The AI Pulse Network will create a UK-wide early-warning system, equipping community organisations to track and report on AI's real-world impacts as they emerge.
- The Community Powered AI programme will bring communities and technologists together to co-design tools grounded in real local need, with over £2m in grants being made available for 50 grassroots organisations.
We'll be collaborating closely with The National Lottery Community Fund (the funder and active partner), and UK Community Foundations (co-delivery partner and secretariat of the Steering Group) to ensure that this vital funding reaches the organisations that need it most; that the technical, ethical and learning dimensions of the work are held to a high standard, and that the impact is as wide-ranging as possible for the sector as a whole.
The programme is currently in the set-up phase, with delivery expected to begin in late 2026. More information on the participating community foundations, the pilots and how to get involved will be shared in the coming months. In the meantime, if you need any further information on the programme, please get in touch via [email protected].