The Management School's Liverpool Advanced Methods for Big Data Analytics (LAMBDA) Research Centre hosted a one-day workshop titled 'AI, Inequality and the Digital Divide in the UK' on Monday 29 June 2026.
Bringing together researchers, policymakers, students and industry professionals, the event explored how the growing use of artificial intelligence is reshaping the UK economy and society, with a particular focus on inequality, labour markets, digital inclusion and regional disparities.
Organised by Professor Abderrahim Taamouti, Director of the LAMBDA Research Centre, the workshop provided a platform for knowledge exchange for leading academics, policymakers and practitioners to discuss the opportunities AI presents, alongside the challenges of ensuring its benefits are shared equitably.
The programme featured keynote presentations from Professor Alan Manning (London School of Economics), Professor Tommaso Valletti (Imperial College Business School), Flavio Calvino from Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Professor Simeon Yates (University of Liverpool) and Dr Balázs Muraközy (University of Liverpool Management School).
View the photo gallery from the event:
Sessions explored AI-driven productivity and innovation, technological change and the future of work, digital inequalities in access and skills and the impact of AI on labour markets and economic inclusion.
The workshop concluded with a roundtable discussion featuring Professor Tommaso Valletti, Professor Alan Manning, Professor Simeon Yates and Rob Benson, Digital Inclusion Lead at Liverpool City Region Combined Authority.
The panel examined the policy challenges surrounding AI adoption in the UK and encouraged participants to share their perspectives through an open discussion and Q&A session.
Reflecting on the success of the event, Professor Abderrahim Taamouti said:
"As AI transforms the economy and society, one of the most important challenges is ensuring that its benefits are shared broadly rather than contributing to existing inequalities.
“This workshop brought together leading academics, policymakers and practitioners to examine how AI is affecting productivity, labour markets, skills, regional disparities and the digital divide in the UK.
"The event was a great success, featuring insightful presentations, a stimulating policy roundtable and excellent engagement from participants.
“The quality of the discussions and the thoughtful contributions from the audience highlighted both the importance of these issues and the strong demand for evidence-based debate on how policy can help ensure that AI contributes to more inclusive and equitable growth."
The workshop concluded by reaffirming the LAMBDA Research Centre's role in supporting interdisciplinary research and informed policy discussions on the future of AI and its impact on society.
About the LAMBDA Research Centre
LAMBDA Research Centre is an interdisciplinary research hub that applies big data analytics and AI to improve strategic decision making and enhance business, industrial and economic performance.
The Centre explores the potential of big data analytics for the business community, the financial world and policymakers.