Who are the Datavysts Fellows?
A new cohort of researchers. A shared conviction: that AI and data science should work for people, communities, and the planet, not just optimise for performance and profit.
Across Europe, Datavysts Fellows are building at the intersection of data science, AI, and social innovation — developing the methods, evidence, and systems that real human and environmental needs demand.
Underpinning it all: the Datavysts Manifesto, a collective commitment to AI and data science that is ethical, socially grounded, and impact-driven.
Below, Anna Pasko, based at Glasgow Caledonian University, shares her work in her own words.
Demographic and economic shifts in Scotland are placing increasing pressure on public services and creating new expectations for how support is delivered across communities.
How can AI support social enterprises and voluntary organisations?
Scotland is undergoing major demographic and economic shifts, placing increasing pressure on public services and creating new expectations for how support is delivered across communities. At the same time, social enterprises and third sector organisations are becoming ever more central to Scotland’s social and economic resilience.
My PhD explores how AI could support social enterprises and voluntary organisations, particularly across Scotland’s diverse urban and rural contexts. I’m examining:
- How third sector leaders understand and perceive AI
- Opportunities and challenges around adopting AI-enabled tools
- How geography, community types, and organisational structures shape AI uptake
- The potential for AI to strengthen coproduction and improve service delivery models
Using qualitative methods, I aim to generate evidence that helps practitioners and policymakers make informed decisions about the role of AI in the sector.
I’m excited to share insights as the project develops and to connect with others interested in AI, innovation, and the future of the third sector.
Some key statistics related to my work from Scotland’s AI strategy 2026-2031:
£1,000,000 Government investment to accelerate SME AI adoption in 2025–26
Social enterprises: 6,000+ in Scotland. A major opportunity for mission-driven organisations to enhance services and scale impact
1 programme support designed to boost productivity, innovation, and operational efficiency
Manifesto in motion
Anna’s project is proof of concept that the Datavysts’ commitments aren’t just aspirational, they’re operational.
More Fellows will share their work in upcoming posts, spanning health, climate, democracy, and social innovation.
Follow the series to see how AI and data science are being rebuilt for people, not just performance.
This is what the next generation looks like.
