AIUK wash-up notes

# AIUK wash-up notes ``` Please follow the format: Person name - project name / aspect - more detail - recommendation / suggestion if applicable ``` ## What went well - [name=Mishka] [name=Denise] - **ECR Connect** - panel discussion was a success! - recommendation: replicate next year with some tweaks. keep offline only. 5 panellists + moderator is a good setup. - [name=Denise] - **ECR Connect** - attendees enjoyed the World Cafe activity for networking, but the room could have a more "welcoming" layout > the tables weren't ideal. - [name=Mishka] - **ECR Connect** - poster presentations were very welcome and appreciated, but they could be more excited if we offered a prize / made it competitive. - suggestion: could we integrate with the wider AIUK conference? could we also align PitchFest with poster presentations as two of the ways where early career researchers can have a dedicated space & seek acknowledgement of their work? - [name=Mishka] [name=Denise] - **AIUK Content** - more of the interactive and networking sessions! - reccomendation: keep in the new sessions such as the long table (make it longer / fishbowl it), presentation karaoke, AI & Arts showcase (New Reel) etc - [name=Mishka] - **AIUK Content** - some session leads / chairs were fantastic, bring them back! - suggestion: drag queen, artists (like Drew), stand-up comedy folks (like Bea) could run way more fun and engaging sessions if they were to run all / most - [name=Denise] - **AIUK Content** - Overall, it was very good to see a variety of perspectives and a multidisciplinary approach to important topics such as deepfakes and biases in representation. I agree that we should have more engaging sessions with professionals from different disciplines and backgrounds. However, it's important to keep the balance and the conference objectives in mind. - [name=Mishka] - **AIUK Audience** - much better split than in previous years and solid presence of industry, start-ups and public bodies - [name=Denise] - **AI UK Skills Booth** - The booth attracted a good number of people, but we could review the drop-in schedule and print it next time ## What could be improved - [name=Mishka] - **ECR Connect** - better resource allocation to make it cost effective - recommentation: integrate with the wider AIUK conference and offer eg networking breakfast / reception dedicated to ECRs, and a dedicated careers session during the AIUK programme. other showcase opportunities would be more appreciated and more visible if the audience opened to all AIUK delegates * [name=Denise] - **ECR Connect** * Logistics reccomendation: Avoid moving between rooms if possible, or keep movement to a minimum. Screens and projectors are necessary at all times, including for introductory and closing remarks. * Social engagement and AI UK alignment: If ECR Connect is positioned as part of AI UK, that should be reflected on Turing social channels and in communication. There was no social engagement on the day and attendees were a bit disappointed. * Research spotlight improvements: The poster presentations weren't great in terms of setup/layout. We could have more and better groupings/positioning. An idea is to name the "best ECR Connect poster" and showcase it on social media and the website (similar to PitchFest) to increase participation and commitment. * Ticketing recommendation: Although the tiered system worked overall, I'd suggest making ECR Connect part of the AI UK ticket, and that's it. * Access Fund: the process was confusing, resulting in the allocation of 6 tickets, instead of 10. * Feedback form: the response rate is quite low, I suggest sharing the form on the day. * [name=Bastian] - **Website** * signposting of rooms on website: the website only gives the colour code for the rooms, which especially on mobile views can't be seen at the same time as the actual program * viewing program items: The popover-view for the session details does not include the room/timing information, so one can't easily see where/when the session is * no direct links: program detail views can't be linked to, so very hard to disseminate/share individual program items with others (also can't be bookmarked due to that!) - [name=Mishka] [name=Denise] - **Catering** - food was quite bland (but nice and hot!), and people would have liked pastries or other options to cookies. Lunch could come with soft drinks too. Some people mentioned they would have liked more than one paid drink during day 1 reception - [name=Mishka] [name=Denise] - **Badges** - missing pronouns - [name=Mishka] - **AIUK Content** - less Turing showcase, more ecosystem focus - suggestion: open call for sessions, content etc from the wider ecosystem? demo space could definitely do with more non-Turing presence - [name=Mishka] - **Conference venue** - ground floor open space was great, can we make even better use of it? - [name=Mishka] - **Logistics** - workshop registration didn't work, can we change? - recommendation: ask delegates to fill in a proper form (puts in effort, takes time etc) and make it competitive OR first come first served on the day (and online we just gauge interest rather than ask to register). Current setup made it much more cumbersome and time ineffective - [name=Mishka] - **Marketing** - some sessions received very little attention, and ECR Connect didn't receive any special mentions / solo posts on social media - [name=Mishka] - **Marketing** - some fringe event participants never heard of AIUK - suggestion: ask AIUK fringe organisers to promote AIUK properly and in advance, as this is a great way to reach out to different pockets of the AI ecosystem ## Small details that were appreciated - [name=Mishka] - **Conference venue** - bathrooms smelled so nice! Great oud oud perfume - [name=Mishka] - **Conference venue** - branding and signposting were really nice and colourful! - suggestion: make the big info booth on 3rd floor even clearer for finding info / wayfinder at AIUK - [name=Denise] - **Conference venue** - nice plants around :) ## Ideas for next run - [name=Mishka] - **Organisers / Programme Advisory Group** - acknoweledge contributors, PAG, session leads etc formally! - suggestion: AIUK lead to speak to individual line managers and ensure buy-in for staff to work on AIUK (eg 0.1 FTE) and acknowledge contributions through website mentions & annual objectives. In addition, offer to pay for expenses, subsistence etc when a contributor passes a certain threshold (eg spends at least 0.5 FTE months) - suggestion: have one lead for each AIUK stream - for example, early career researchers networking, innovation, policy, open infrastructure etc