The next SPIF meeting will take place on the 5th of October, with the theme ‘AI – Asset or Liability for Scotland’s FoI system?’

The Scottish Public Information Forum (SPIF) will meet at the Scottish Parliament and online on 5th of October at 2:00pm. The meeting’s theme will be ‘AI — Asset or Liability for Scotland’s FoI system?’

AI dominates current conversations about IT but to protect and strengthen Scotland’s 21 years old system of enforcing FoI rights and duties, CFoIS is organising a meeting of the Scottish Public Information Forum (SPIF) to enable informed discussion about the threats and opportunities which AI provides.

Dr Ben Worthy from Birkbeck College will talk about his research on ‘FoI and AI’ and Scottish Information Commissioner David Hamilton who is leading on a Europe-wide project to explore how AI is impacting on FOI regulators and public bodies across the continent. There will also be contributions about:

Engaging the public as they could unwittingly overwhelm the FoI system with requests prompted and written by AI. The Scottish Information Commissioner has produced helpful information on using AI to make information requests and CFoIS believes we need a ‘rights based’, public conversation on the benefits and dangers.

FoI practitioners who need, if they don’t have already, an early warning system to activate internally and externally, so they are alert to bad actors compromising their FoI system to grow public distrust of our democratic institutions and public services.

Action by Government/Parliament through non legislative measures and budgetary decisions to ensure FoI rights, duties and regulator(s) are protected in Scotland.

There will also be updates and reports delivered by

David Hamilton, the Scottish Information Commissioner

Deborah Clark, Office of UK ICO

Michael Birrell, The Scottish Government

Annie Barber, CFoIS

Date: Monday 5 October

Time: 2:00PM to 4:00PM GMT

Location: The Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh EH99 1SP; Option for joining online also available.

Cost: Free

Description supplied by the event organiser.