Camden risks a ‘negative reaction’ over AI learning partnership with Google states council report

Camden Council is at risk of a “negative reaction” to it working in partnership with Google to deliver a learning project on artificial intelligence (AI), according to a report for the executive director of schools in the borough.

The report recommends that “the executive director of children and learning to formally note that Camden Learning has entered into a collaboration agreement with Google to deliver an education-focussed AI Campus in the Borough. Google have made £451,000 funding available to initially support this project to July 2026,” states the report.

The executive director was asked to note the report for “reasons of openness and transparency”.

The AI Campus will be at Camden Learning’s centre in Charrington Street, Somers Town.

Camden Learning Ltd is a company limited by guarantee and Camden Council is a member of the company, which it in turn commissions to deliver education services on its behalf. It is currently under contract to do so until 2026. The council provided around 73 percent of its £4,551,788 annual income in the year to March 2023.

Tim Aldridge, executive director of children and learning and Cllr Marcus Boyland, cabinet member for best start for children and families, are members of the Camden Learning board of directors.

The decision to enter this collaboration agreement with Google was taken by Stephen Hall, CEO of Camden Learning and ratified by the Camden Learning board on 8 February 2024.

Google’s contribution will fund the development and implementation of a digital, science, technology, engineering and maths educational offer, working in collaboration with Camden Learning for students aged over 16 as well as the wider Camden community.

Google will also be providing access to training materials and tools, including academic materials and resources to support enrichment of the AI and wider science, technology, engineering, and mathematics curriculum; as well as providing suitable speakers for project events.

Camden Learning’s contribution will include developing the AI education pilot located in Camden, including engaging headteachers to gather input and develop a plan for a programme to support students interested in pursuing a career in AI.

The report identifies the risks of the agreement and how they are to be mitigated.

The key risks to Camden Council are: “There is the potential of a negative or mixed media reaction to Camden Learning working in partnership with Google to deliver this project (and by extension Camden Council, as a member of Camden Learning).” The report does not elaborate further on the risks.

The report goes on to state that this risk is mitigated by Google “funding this project to grow a more diverse community of AI practitioners, to ensure that the benefits of AI are shared more widely”.

According to the report, Google sees the partnership “as an extension of their commitment to being good neighbours” in Camden.

In 2017 a committee of Camden’s councillors gave the go-ahead for Google’s planning application for a 300m-long, 11 storey headquarters at King’s Cross — the single largest building on the redeveloped railway lands site.

The education partnership will also bring wider benefits to the community — “none of which would happen at the Charrington Street site without this funding,” states the report.

The report’s recommendations were approved on 14 March 2024.

Camden Council, decision details: Camden Learning collaboration with Google to deliver an education-focussed Artificial Intelligence Campus in Camden.