Hosted by Baroness Manzila Pola Uddin, the roundtable convened 20 Royal Holloway academics and 14 senior experts from organisations including Roche, NHS, Oracle, Shaw Trust, the Institute of Directors, Ofcom, Surrey AI Centre, Bloomberg, Toyota and Vertis Media. Together, they examined how AI can be governed and deployed in ways that uphold democratic values, protect communities and drive inclusive innovation. 

Aligned with the University’s RH2030 strategy, the report reinforces Royal Holloway’s leadership in shaping national policy on responsible AI and strengthening cross-sector collaboration. 

A roadmap for responsible and socially purposeful AI 

The report sets out what is required to ensure AI works for society—rather than the other way around. At its core is a clear message: fairness, transparency and accountability must underpin every stage of AI development and adoption. These principles, it argues, are essential for earning public trust and safeguarding democratic integrity as technologies evolve.  

Addressing skills gaps is identified as a national priority. The report calls for investment in AI literacy at every level—from school classrooms and vocational pathways to higher education and workplace training—ensuring people are equipped to navigate an AI-driven future. It also highlights the risk of biased or incomplete datasets, urging improved data governance to prevent discrimination in sectors such as recruitment, healthcare and finance. 

The recommendations extend beyond human systems to environmental ones. With large-scale AI models consuming significant energy, the report calls for greener innovation, energy-efficient infrastructure and sustainable development practices to reduce the carbon footprint of AI. Together, these actions form a practical roadmap for achieving technological ambition while embedding social purpose and environmental responsibility. 

Leadership perspectives 

Professor Julie Sanders, Vice-Chancellor and Principal at Royal Holloway, said:
“The pace and extent of developments in AI are astonishing. With such far-reaching implications, this report is hugely important in highlighting the opportunities in tandem with our shared responsibilities here at Royal Holloway. This report offers critical insights into enabling equitable progress and driving public benefits. I encourage all those working in this dynamic field to read it and reflect on its recommendations.” 

Professor Christos Tsinopoulos, Dean of the Faculty of Business and Law, added:
“The insights captured in this report reflect a shared commitment to responsible innovation and collaborative progress. As a Business School, within a University of social purpose, we remain committed to using these insights to inform our research and courses. We look forward to continued dialogue that ensures AI benefits society as a whole.”

Professor Mark Lycett, Vice Dean, Research and Knowledge Exchange, said:
“This report is a clear example of us leading in bringing policymakers, practitioners and the community together to address the social challenges of Artificial Intelligence.”

Dr Nisreen Ameen, Associate Professor in Digital Marketing and Director of DOS, commented:
“This report reflects Royal Holloway’s commitment to shaping the future of AI in ways that serve society. By bringing together experts from different sectors, we are helping lead the national conversation on how technology can protect democratic values and drive innovation that benefits everyone.”

Read the full report

The full AI for Social Purpose report is now available on Royal Holloway’s website.