This Is Not Inevitable: Standing up to AI and Big Tech
Start: Saturday, June 27, 2026•10:30 AM
Location: Mechanics Institute• 103 Princess Street, Manchester, M1 6DD GB
Conference co-hosted by Campaign against Climate Change and the Greater Manchester Climate Justice Coalition, part of the trade union year of climate action.
There will be three sessions for all attendees, each with a speaker panel followed by group discussion, linking different issues.
Session 1: The uses of AI in war and surveillance
Speakers: Anne Alexander, a researcher and journalist covering the social, ecological and political impacts of AI systems, currently working on a forthcoming book on the AI Arms Race; campaigner from No Palantir In Our NHS (invited)
Session 2: The climate and environmental impacts of data centres
Speakers: Mary Stevens, Friends of the Earth; Campaigner from Global Action Plan
Session 3: How AI is affecting our jobs and wider society, and the action that trade unions are taking
Speakers: Simeon Gill, President of University of Manchester UCU; Laurence Bouvard, Equity, Screen and New Media Committee member; Unite member, transport sector (invited)
Venue: Mechanics Institute, Manchester. 10.30-16.30
Tickets are £5 but do drop us a line on info@campaigncc.org if you need a free ticket - we'll be happy to add you to the attendee list, but Action Network doesn't allow us to add a free option below.
Check back for more details and confirmed speakers.