Manchester's Digital Strategy

🗣 How can we support Manchester's tech sector to grow inclusively and sustainably? If you're a tech business in Manchester, we want to hear from you! For the last few years, Manchester Digital's flagship Digital Skills audit has surveyed over 250 digital and technology businesses across Greater Manchester to help industry, government and industry leaders better understand and address the growing skills shortage. In 2025, this annual audit will transform into a deeper, more sustainable Sector Insights Report, exploring five critical themes shaping the region's digital landscape: 🏙 Infrastructure and Ecosystem Support 📈 Business Confidence and Economic Outlook 💡 Growth and Innovation 🤝🏼 Driving Diversity 👩🏫 People and Skills Research will combine surveys and discussions with tech employers across Greater Manchester to capture the real challenges and opportunities in the region. The findings will be used to drive local, regional, and national strategies and guide actionable change for the tech sector. 💬 From entrepreneurs and start-ups to established industry leaders, our shared tech community thrives on the diversity of its perspectives, ideas, and experiences. To ensure that the voices shaping their Sector Insights Report is as diverse and representative as possible, Manchester Digital are appealing to tech businesses across Greater Manchester to share their views. By completing the surveys, you’ll help our friends at Manchester Digital to gather the insights needed to guide local and national priorities, and shape Greater Manchester’s tech landscape and future. (And if a little bribery is more your bag, you'll also have the chance to win a £200 one4all or Amazon voucher, or a £200 donation to the charity of your choice! 😉🎉) Surveys close on the 6th January, with insights to be revealed at the Digital Skills Feast - a feature event of the 2025 Digital Skills Festival. ▶ If you'd like to get involved, scan the QR codes or click on the links below to share your ideas and help shape the future of Greater Manchester's tech landscape! 👇

Could that chime be the first jingle of winter sleigh bells, or is it the latest edition of our Digital Strategy bulletin landing in your inbox? 🎅😉 Our last newsletter of the year is a big one! Here's a little preview of what our subscribers can expect: 📌 A round-up of our celebrations from the first ever International #DigitalRightsDay, featuring articles, interviews, and videos exploring the actions we can take to safeguard human right online. 📌 Our first reflections on the Digital Strategy's contributions to the Co-operative Councils' Innovation Network (CCIN) Co-Operative Values Driven AI Framework championing ethical, human-centred approaches to AI. 📌 A celebration of the work of our incredible #LetsGetDigital team in helping people at risk of digital exclusion to access the Internet through the provision of free SIM cards and online skills support. 📌 Our monthly summary of the most exciting events, conferences and training opportunities taking place across Manchester. 📌 A festive call to action: could your old devices help to close the digital divide this Christmas period? 📬 If you'd like to be the first to hear about our plans for 2025 - including our brand new delivery plan - make signing up to our mailing list your new year's resolution! Our bulletin lands on the 15th of every month - subscribe to avoid missing out 👇 🔗 https://lnkd.in/eH2fFSVe

😲 We can’t quite believe it’s all over! This week, we were proud to join cities from all over the world in celebrating the first ever International #DigitalRightsDays 🎉 We've felt privileged to speak with some of Manchester’s leading figures in digital inclusion, AI and systems change about what digital rights means to them, and the actions that we can take as a city to make sure that our human rights are protected online. 🙌 A huge thankyou to Léa Lebon and the Cities Coalition for Digital Rights for inviting us to take part in such an inspiring initiative pioneering collaborative approaches to advancing digital rights at city level. At Manchester's Digital Strategy, we believe that supporting action to build safer, more accessible, and more inclusive online spaces – where users are protected from exploitation and manipulation – is the right thing to do for everyone in our city. When embedded responsibly, ethically, and with consideration for human needs, digital technologies can be used to drive positive societal change and bring more opportunities to those who need them most.  If you’re nodding your head in agreement, catch up on what you might have missed this week! We've brought together all our articles, interviews, and videos - exploring why digital rights should matter to everyone - for you to enjoy 👇 *** 1️⃣ Curious about digital rights, but unsure of what they really are? Start here to unpick the complexities of the term, and discover what protecting digital rights can look like in practice.  🔗 https://bit.ly/3ZHyn3P 👈 *** 2️⃣ Concerned about how digital exclusion could impact human rights globally? Watch our video interview with Christopher Northen, Digital Inclusion Officer at Manchester City Council, to explore why equitable access to the Internet is key to safeguarding human rights online. 🔗 https://bit.ly/3VzSBtN 👈 *** 3️⃣ Interested in Artificial Intelligence? Learn more about the impact AI could have on privacy, decision-making and autonomy in our interview with The University of Salford’s Dr. Richard Whittle, an expert in human behaviour and online decision making. 🔗 https://bit.ly/4g8SJZJ 👈 *** 4️⃣ Passionate about the ways technology could empower underserved communities? Our interview with Reina Yaidoo, founder of BASSAJAMBA CIC, explores how engaging communities in the co-creation and development of new technologies could help us to protect digital rights. 🔗 https://bit.ly/41AJ35w 👈 *** Access to the Internet is increasingly influencing our ability to participate in modern society, and access to public services. As technology continues to progress, it's more important than ever that we work together to ensure that digital technologies uphold the fundamental rights to which we're all entitled. Head over to the Cities Coalition for Digital Rights to learn more about how you can become a part of a historic movement to protect human rights online, and join us again this time next year! 🎉

🌐 How can we develop digital infrastructures that meet the needs of the people they are intended to serve? In our final interview celebrating International #DigitalRightsDays, we spoke to BASSAJAMBA CIC CEO Reina Yaidoo to explore how we can work with communities to develop systems that protect everyone's human rights online - and why we should. *** 🏙 From healthcare to education, cities increasingly rely on technology to deliver public services. Whether we are confident online users, or struggle to navigate the Internet effectively, nearly everyone's life will be impacted by digital in some capacity. For new technologies to adequately safeguard the rights of the people they are intended to benefit, it is vital that communities have opportunities to influence the development of digital policies from inception, advancing collaborative approaches that serve the common good 💬 The frameworks, infrastructures, and policies developed by governments and local authorities have a direct impact on the daily realities of thousands of people. By engaging communities in co-creation processes we can ensure that policies address local challenges, and ensure that the impact on residents is of benefit to their lives. 🚧 For historically underserved communities - often disproportionately impacted by structural, social and economic challenges - meaningful participation in shaping digital infrastructures and services can help to drive solutions to systemic barriers and reduce the risk of unintended harm through the deployment of new technologies. At Manchester's Digital Strategy, we believe that everyone who is impacted by our city's digital infrastructure and new technologies should have equal opportunity to actively participate in decision-making around their deployment. Through collaborating closely with communities in programmes such as the People's Panel for AI, we can ensure that the future of our city is one where everyone's human rights are respected. 📖 Check out our interview with Reina to learn more about BASSAJAMBA CIC's work developing digital and data infrastructures that are fair, ethical and unbiased; explore how human centric-approaches could drive more equitable outcomes for all, and discover real-world examples of projects leading the way in championing democratic values in technological change! 🎉 🔗 https://bit.ly/41AJ35w #DigitalRights #GlobalCitizenship #HumanRight #Technology

🤖 Could the rise of Artificial Intelligence impact our digital rights? To celebrate International #DigitalRightsDays, we had the pleasure of sitting down with The University of Salford's resident AI expert, Dr. Richard Whittle to explore the ways the development of AI is likely to impact our fundamental human rights. *** 🚧 Tackling barriers to digital exclusion is one step we can take towards achieving a digitally inclusive future that advances our universal digital rights. Yet even confident Internet users can be left vulnerable to encroachments on their human rights through advances in technology. From the lack of regulatory frameworks that would empower local authorities to ensure that digital technologies are used responsibly and equitably, to concerns over the ways data is collected, stored, and accessed, ethical challenges around the defence of human rights in an age of advancing technology have only intensified. Cities continue to grapple with questions of how to protect universal rights such as equality, inclusion, and privacy without compromising freedom and innovation. While technological advancements can empower individuals, they can also magnify risks such as surveillance, bias, and the manipulation of choice through deceptive design patterns 🔍 Artificial Intelligence, like many other technologies, has the capacity to both help and harm. AI systems can erode privacy, amplify existing biases, and exploit behavioural vulnerabilities. The same systems - embedded responsibly, inclusively, and ethically - could also help us to address key challenges in society, and unlock extraordinary benefits for our city. At Manchester's Digital Strategy, we believe that approaches to AI should prioritise human ideals, values, and participation, and safeguard the fundamental human rights to which we are are all entitled. By ensuring that AI is developed and deployed with consideration for the needs of people, we can build a future where technology serves humanity - and not the other way round. 📖 Read our interview with Richard to learn more about his research around AI's impact on decision-making; explore reflections on the complex threats that AI can pose to digital rights; discover insights into the actions cities can take to safeguard equality, privacy, and access to information while preserving our online freedoms 👇 🔗 https://bit.ly/4g8SJZJ #DigitalRights #GlobalCitizenship #HumanRights #Technology

🤔 What has digital equity got to do with human rights? Watch our interview with Digital Inclusion Co-Ordinator Christopher Northen to find out! *** To celebrate International #DigitalRightsDays on the 10th and 11th December, we sat down with Chris to discuss the intersection between digital inclusion initiatives and the advancement of universal human rights. In the past week, how many of us have: 📺 Curled up on the sofa to watch a show on a streaming service? 💸 Moved money between bank accounts online? 📳 Heard the familiar ping of a notification on our phones? Digital is so ubiquitous in our lives that a lack of access can leave those without the skills and resources to get online excluded from wider society - amputated from connections to community, information, and vital services. 🏙 For many cities, enabling equitable and inclusive access to digital is an essential foundation to the progression and protection of digital rights. Without the ability to access and use digital technology, an individual’s freedom of expression and access to information can be severely limited. Those with the skills, resources, and confidence to navigate the online world effectively enjoy significant privileges – from greater access to opportunities, to the capacity to engage fully in everything that society has to offer. Without digital equity, we cannot build a society that meaningfully safeguards essential human rights. At Manchester's Digital Strategy, we believe that digital inclusion efforts must go beyond providing devices to vulnerable people and communities. Instead, they should also offer opportunities for people to develop the skills needed to mitigate the inherent risks of life online. By fostering digital inclusion at a local level, cities can protect and champion digital rights that improve everyone’s quality of life. 📽 Watch our interview with Chris to learn more about the work of our incredible Digital Inclusion team, and to hear Chris' insights on the actions we can take to reduce the digital divide, empower people across Manchester to safely participate in life online, and promote digital rights for all! #DigitalRights #GlobalCitizenship #HumanRights #Technology

We're celebrating the first ever International #DigitalRightsDays on the 10th & 11th December! 🎉 *** A worldwide campaign by the Cities Coalition for Digital Rights, International Digital Rights Days highlight the actions we can take to safeguard human right online and ensure that digital experiences are safe, inclusive, and equitable for all. Over the next two days, we'll be sharing articles and interviews exploring what digital rights should mean in practice, and the ways in which people and organisations in our city are working to uphold human rights in an increasingly digital world. We've sat down with some of the changemakers, leaders, and academics in Manchester championing human-centred approaches to digital to advocate for the protection of human rights online. ▶ Curious? Here's a sneak peek of the highlights we're most excited to share: 📌 A video interview with Digital Inclusion Co-Ordinator Christopher Northen, exploring why equitable access to the Internet is key to protecting our digital rights. 📌 Insights from AI expert Dr Richard Whittle on the impact of Artificial Intelligence on decision-making, privacy and individual autonomy, as well as the role of cities can play in safeguarding digital rights and online freedoms. 📌 A conversation with Reina Yaidoo, founder of BASSAJAMBA CIC, on the ways new technologies can be used to empower underserved communities, and the need for human-centric systems and frameworks that meet, align, protect, and promote digital rights. ▶ Can't quite wait? 📌 To learn more about digital rights - right now! - grab a coffee and dive into our first article for International #DigitalRightsDays, where we unpick the complexities of the term 'digital rights', and share our thoughts on what they should encompass: 🔗 https://lnkd.in/efXuKr74 ***   At Manchester City Council, we’re incredibly proud to join over 60 cities across the world in celebrating International #DigitalRightDays. We couldn’t be more excited to stand alongside the international community in championing a digital future that upholds universal human rights for all! #DigitalRights #GlobalCitizenship #HumanRights #Technology

Digital access and equity is at the heart of Manchester City Council's Digital Inclusion team and, working together, we've seen firsthand how they direct technology donations to individuals and communities in Greater Manchester who will most benefit.    Asad Mustafa, CEng and members of our Outreach employee network coordinated the donation of monitors and IT peripherals, part of which has already gone on to support Manchester Youth Zone’s new digital making space.     It’s great to hear that the talented young people accessing this newly developed learning hub are already taking advantage of these resources to further their digital skills and passions.    Find out more: https://lnkd.in/eS-n5Jcb Manchester's Digital Strategy

❄ The weather outside may be chilly - (if you're anything like us, you might have been tempted to sneak a few blankets into the workplace!) - but Manchester's tech events scene slows no sign of slowing down. Each month, we collate some of the most exciting and innovative tech events from across Manchester's digital community in our Digital Strategy bulletin. To help you keep track of the opportunities on offer, and discover where to connect with and learn from others in the sector, we're sharing some the most exciting events happening in December right here on LinkedIn 👇 *** 🌟 Local Digital Skills Index Launch 📅 3rd December ⌚ 9:30 - 13:00 📍 Bonded Warehouse, M3 4AP 🔗 https://bit.ly/4iiUTqY l techUK 🌟 Emerging Tech Conference 2024 📅 5th December ⌚ 9:00 - 10:00 📍 Circle Square (M1 7FT) 🔗 https://bit.ly/3OCSnOE l Manchester Digital 🌟 Co-operative Values Drive AI: Policy Lab Launch 📅 11th December ⌚ 15:30 - 16:30 📍 Online 🔗 https://bit.ly/4eWEsho l Co-operative Councils' Innovation Network (CCIN) 🌟 Women Leading Tech: Breaking Barriers & Paving the Way 📅 11th December ⌚ 8:30 - 10:00 📍 Clockwise (M1 4LX) 🔗 https://bit.ly/41gcPMW l pro-manchester 🌟 Centre for Digital Trust & Society Seed Corn Showcase 2023-2024 📅 17th December ⌚ 14:30 - 17:00 📍 Alan Turing Building (M13 9PL) 🔗 https://bit.ly/49leB1u l Digital Futures at The University of Manchester *** Are there any events you're looking forward to this month in the city? #TechEvents #Networking #Manchester

We’ll confess - at Manchester's Digital Strategy, we love a goodie bag 🤭 But as much as we enjoy notebooks, keyrings, or appropriately Mancunian bee-shaped seed bombs – (and believe me, we do!) - we’ve been even more excited by the launch of #OpenSME, a new suite of courses offering free support to Greater Manchester’s SME community. The last few years have been challenging for many small businesses, with global instability, rising costs and economic uncertainty intensifying existing pressures. 🤝 To support more SME’s succeed, Greater Manchester’s four universities - The University of Bolton, The Manchester Metropolitan University, The University of Manchester, and The University of Salford – have united in a first-of-its-kind partnership to deliver #OpenSME, an online platform providing SMEs with the practical resources needed to start, scale, and thrive. For many small business owners, challenges lie not only in the limited availability of support, but with the time, expense, and energy demanded to make use of the resources on offer. #OpenSME aims to remove barriers to participation by offering a suite of online courses that are free, self-paced and always accessible, enabling SMEs to engage with learning and development opportunities without disrupting the everyday demands of their business. In Phase 1 of the programme, #OpenSME has seen huge success in enabling a diverse range of people to access the opportunities needed to support their business to succeed, including those from underrepresented and underserved backgrounds 🎉 At Manchester's Digital Strategy, we believe that nurturing SMEs is essential for the growth of an inclusive innovation ecosystem. Initiatives like #OpenSME are vital to building the small business community and ensuring that more SMEs have access to the tools and resources to be successful. A goodie bag just can’t compete with a launch that celebrates the people and projects dedicated to breaking down barriers for SMEs. (Then again, it never hurts to have both 😉) A huge thanks to Kenny L. for inviting us to come along to an inspiring launch event, and a well-deserved congratulations to all the partners involved in bringing #OpenSME to life! 👏