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Probably42 News - August 2021
Welcome to our August Newsletter!
After our flurry of activity interacting with the APPG (All Party Parliamentary Group) for Artificial Intelligence and also the AI Council last month, this month we turned our attention to something quite different, retirement!
You may be aware that some time ago we produced a ‘Proposition for a Retiree Foundation’. The objective of the Foundation is to release the potential of individuals in later life for their benefit and for the benefit of our society. It draws on over 20 years experience of some members of Probably42, working with retirees to ensure they have a fulfilling and enjoyable retirement. We’ve recently underpinned this document with an extensive document on making such a Foundation operational, including outlining a whole supporting digital infrastructure.
We decided that the time is right to try and orchestrate the creation of such a Foundation and managed to get an introduction to a relevant member of the House of Lords. We had proposed that there should be an APPG for Retirement, as surprisingly among the huge long list of APPGs there isn’t one on retirement. We haven’t succeeded in that but have received a referral to someone working in the space, who has some overlapping plans. We’ve had a good initial meeting with them and we’ll see where it takes us.
July and August Discussions
Our discussion for July was on how we could tackle Adversarial Politics with a different but more effective system. You can see the output at Adversarial Politics. For August we discussed Universal Basic Income and whether it is necessary or desirable, especially in the context of future job disruption as a result of Artificial Intelligence. You can see the output at Universal Basic Income.
Government Information that may interest you
You may like to take a look at a paper from one of our members A Hitch-hiker's Guide to the Universe of Government Information to help you make sense of what’s out there.
This month we also highlight three more examples of information on Parliament activity and outputs which may interest you:
- The future of the High Street
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1003010/Build_Back_Better_High_Streets.pdf - Everything you’ve always wanted to know about the Northern Ireland Protocol, but …… https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1004581/CCS207_CCS0721914902-001_Northern_Ireland_Protocol_PRINT__1___2_.pdf
The role of Innovation in ensuring a prosperous future UK Innovation Strategy: Leading the future by creating it - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Forthcoming September Discussion
Our discussion for September is on the topic:
'What issues does the Afghanistan failure raise for the West (and the UK in particular) and do we need to amend our strategy and foreign policy as a result?'
You can see the proposed agenda at Topic for September 2021 - The impact of Afghanistan failure. As ever, do send any thoughts on this topic as input to the meeting, or if you would like to attend the meeting just reply to this email and we’ll send you details.
Why not join a Group?
If you’d like to join one of the Probably42 discussion groups held via videoconferencing, just email in response to this newsletter and we’ll send you more details. We very much want a diversity of viewpoints, so you can be sure your views will be welcomed. Remember it’s about relaxed discussion and having an enjoyable time, with hopefully some useful ideas identified.
Starting on September 1st we want to encourage face-to-face real world discussion groups again, as feeders into the main online discussions. If you’d like to find out more about the one in Berkshire, or if you’d like to see one start in your area, just email in response to this newsletter and we’ll send you details.
Feedback
We always welcome any feedback, thoughts, ideas or questions about Probably42. Simply reply to this newsletter and you’ll receive a personal reply.
All the best
Tony