A collage that merges circuit board patterns with textile motifs in a grid-like background of alternating black, grey, and white. Two hand-drawn arms are on each side of the image, positioned as if gently pulling on thin, white strings that cross the image diagonally. The hands appear soft and somewhat translucent, contrasting with the rigid lines of the circuit board patterns behind them. The strings are woven through both the hands and the background, symbolising the connection between traditional weaving and modern technology. The overall colour palette features muted earth tones, including browns, beiges, and grays, creating a sense of both history and continuity between the natural and technological worlds..

Hanna Barakat & Archival Images of AI + AIxDESIGN / https://betterimagesofai.org / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Community of Practice for Participatory Evaluation of AI

Many of the most consequential investigations and findings about artificial intelligence have resulted from partnerships between the public and researchers across journalism, civil society, and academia. Doing this work well requires a challenging-if-rewarding combination of organizing, diplomacy, technical capacity, communication skills, and ability to work with data. And as the public is demanding more visibility into the workings and impacts of AI, demand for participatory evaluation of AI is growing.

The Participatory AI Research Network is a monthly gathering of communities and researchers across academia, journalism, industry, and civil society who are committed to producing reliable and consequential evidence about the impacts of AI and how to steer it for the common good. Our purposes are to:

  • meet others
  • exchange inspiration, resources, stories, and best practices
  • imagine ways to support the broader ecosystem 

Sounds like something you would like to learn more about?

Ways to get involved:

  • Attend a meetup (see upcoming meetings below)
  • Lead a big idea at the meetup 
  • Join the community channel on Discourse

Upcoming Meetup:

Participatory AI Research Network July Meeting

Date: Friday, July 24, 2026 11am ET// 3pm UTC // 5pm CEST

Register to attend: Here

 

Participatory AI Research Network August Meeting

Date: Friday, August 28, 2026 11am ET// 3pm UTC // 5pm CEST

Register to attend: Here

Please check back for September and October meet up dates

 

Supporting Organizations

The following organizations are current supporters of the community of practice

Meet up hosts

  • Jeremy Merrill – Washington Post
  • Nathan Matias – Cornell University
  • Megan Price – American University and University of Washington
  • Alan Smith – Consumer Reports
  • Mark Wong – Emergent Research
  • Sarah Cen – Carnegie Mellon University

Public resources