Birmingham is preparing to welcome Open Data Camp, a free national event bringing people together to explore how data and technology can improve everyday lives, strengthen communities and help deliver better public services.
Taking place on 21 and 22 November at the Council House, the two-day event will bring together experts and enthusiasts from local government, universities, charities, technology organisations and community groups to share ideas, exchange knowledge and explore innovative ways to make better use of data.
Data can sometimes feel technical or distant from everyday life. But used properly, it can help people understand what is happening in their city, hold public organisations to account and help councils make better decisions about the services residents rely on.
Open data is information that can be freely accessed, shared and reused. Making more information accessible can improve transparency, encourage new ideas and help organisations and communities find better ways of tackling the challenges they face.
Open Data Camp is not a traditional conference with a programme decided in advance. Instead, it is run as an “unconference”, where the people attending help decide what gets discussed.
Participants can propose the issues that matter to them and shape conversations around subjects including artificial intelligence, digital public services, research, civic technology, transparency and improving public services.
The event is open to everyone, from people already working with data and technology to residents and community organisations who simply want to understand how it can be used to make a difference.
Attendees will have the opportunity to:
meet and learn from people working across government, technology, research and civil society;
share challenges, ideas and examples of what is working;
explore how data and technology can improve public services; and
build connections between people working to make a difference in their communities.
People can choose to attend either one day or both days.
Councillor Harris Khaliq, Cabinet Member for City Services and Digital at Birmingham City Council, said:
"Data can sound technical. But what we are really talking about is power. Who has information, who can access it, and how we use it to make people’s lives better.
"Technology should never be about innovation for innovation’s sake. If we are transforming the way this council works, our residents should feel the difference. That means better public services, greater transparency and a council that is easier to deal with.
"That is why I’m proud Birmingham is hosting Open Data Camp. We are bringing people together from across the country to share ideas, challenge the way things have always been done and ask how technology can help us solve the real problems facing our communities.
"Some of the best ideas come from our communities, researchers, campaigners and innovators. Opening up data gives more people the opportunity to understand their city and help shape how it works.
"Birmingham is a city of enormous talent, diversity and potential. Our ambition should not simply be to follow the digital changes happening around us. We should be confident enough to help lead them.
"And for me, the test will always be simple: does this make life better for the people we serve? Because technology should work for people, not the other way around.”
Registration for Open Data Camp is free, and people can attend either one or both days.
