Alliance for Data Science Professionals
BCS is a leading member of the Alliance for Data Science Professionals. In July, the first cohort of data scientists to complete the Alliance’s new, defined standard of professionalism was celebrated at a graduation ceremony at the Royal Society in London.
UK Digital Strategy
The UK Digital Strategy, published last month, featured a number of BCS’ key policy asks around professionalism and communities of practice within the sector, including supporting business to hire digital apprentices. The National Centre for Computing Education’s (NCCE) role in promoting computer science education was also referenced significantly.
Data: A New Direction
The Government also published the final findings of its Data: A New Direction consultation. BCS has long called for the right for human review of decisions made by AI to be protected. We were delighted to see this acknowledged in the document.
Supporting Ukraine IT
Ukraine PR and outreach: BCS has been working closely with colleagues in the IT Ukraine Association and helping to promote its message that the sector remains open for business. We have also committed to providing any Ukrainian IT practitioner with BCS membership free of charge, meaning they have access to our facilities and networks
Online Safety Bill
In March 2022, BCS produced a policy position and briefing on the Online Safety Bill, which is due to return to parliament this Autumn. As the professional body for information technology, BCS feels that any technical solutions proposed need to be balanced with education and guidance. We await the results of a survey of our members on these issues.
Pride Month
2022 saw BCS’ first campaign to support Pride Month featured content, including a celebration of Alan Turing’s birthday, the adoption of a rainbow logo, promotion of our new Pride SG, and a staff event held at Swindon HQ.
Members Crypto Survey
BCS has published the results of members survey on former Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s plans to make the UK a ‘global cryptoasset hub’ and the ask the Royal Mint to produce its own NFT. IT professionals polled were sceptical about the benefits of these plans, but were far more optimistic about the potential of blockchain as a technology.
BCS Paper on Clinical Decision Data
BCS produced a pro-active paper with BCS Health and Care, stressing the importance of ‘Computable Knowledge’ in assisting clinical decision making in the NHS be published and shared with key stakeholders. It received news coverage in a range of sector press from Digital Health to the Engineering Council’s own journal.
