KMi at the inaugural Centre for Protecting Women Online conference: Responsible AI for safer digital spaces

KMi Reporter | 16 September 2025

Last week, on the 10th and 11th of September, The Open University hosted the first annual conference of the Centre for Protecting Women Online. The event brought together researchers, practitioners, and policymakers from across academia, technology, law enforcement, government, civil society, and beyond to explore and address the pressing challenges to women’s safety in digital spaces.

KMi was proud to be part of the programme, with Prof. Miriam Fernandez, Dr. Alba Morales, and Dr. Ángel Pavón Pérez chairing three key sessions on Moderation and Reactive Solutions, Prevention, and Victim-Centric and Trauma-Informed Approaches. In their role leading Responsible AI research at the Centre, they also presented, alongside Deloitte, their joint work on how Responsible AI principles can be applied in practice, particularly to protect women and other minoritised groups. The conference was filled with memorable moments, including the screening of Patricia Franquesa’s moving documentary My Sextortion Diary, and a powerful keynote by Dr. María Rún Bjarnadóttir reflecting on Iceland’s reforms against digital sexual abuse. Beyond the talks and sessions, what resonated most was the shared belief that change is slow but possible. With collaboration and determination, we can shape a digital space where women and all minoritised groups are safe online.