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Partnership on AI Announce New Series of Short Films on AI and Society
Beyond the Code, the branded content series produced for Partnership on AI by BBC StoryWorks Commercial Productions, is returning for a second series
In 2024, Partnership on AI (PAI) launched Beyond the Code exploring the rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence. Filmed across 11 countries, the stories from the first series examined the human stories behind the systems, and the people working to ensure AI develops in ways that are more equitable, transparent and beneficial.
The stories resonated. The series reached more than 1.5 million views on the Beyond the Code hubsite and 99 million impressions across social media, demonstrating a global appetite for rigorous, grounded storytelling about the defining technology of our time.
Since then, the conversation has shifted – and so have the stakes. What was once speculative is now structural: AI is increasingly embedded in healthcare systems, infrastructure, classrooms and the decisions that shape our daily lives. The world is navigating how to build, deploy and govern AI responsibly, and questions of accountability, trust and equitable access are no longer the preserve of academic debate. For some, they are defining the business landscape, politics and public conversation.
Organisations are now invited to submit stories for the second series of Beyond the Code, detailing how they are contributing to an AI-enabled future that works for everyone. Beyond the promise and the hype, this series is interested in AI in action, and is seeking real-world case studies across four key themes:
- Work in Progress: As AI reshapes the nature of work and the broader structures of society, who stands to benefit? This chapter could explore workforce transition, collaboration, education and lifelong learning, community cohesion, and the frameworks being built to ensure the benefits of AI are equitably shared.
- The Invisible Grid: As AI becomes the connective tissue of energy grids, transport networks, and urban systems – and one of the most powerful predictive tools in response to the climate crisis – how is it being deployed, and to what end? This chapter could explore smart cities, predictive maintenance, early warning systems, carbon tracking, or the potential of AI to build a world that is smarter and more resilient.
- Care and Code: How is AI transforming the way we help prevent, diagnose, and treat disease, and what does it mean for the people delivering and receiving care? This chapter could explore early detection, AI-assisted surgery, or what it means to preserve the human touch in an increasingly algorithmic system.
- The Global Exchange: From farm to factory to doorstep, AI is quietly revolutionising the systems that move goods around the world. How is it being used to build supply chains that are more efficient and transparent, and what does that mean for the workers and communities at every link in the chain?
The deadline for submissions is Wednesday, 3rd June. To submit your story for consideration, please fill out this short form. For further information, please contact James Murphy, Series Development Researcher, at james.murphy@bbc.com.
After review, selected organisations will be invited to discuss engaging BBC StoryWorks’ creative teams to produce a branded piece for the series, which will require a fee as determined by production variables. A dedicated production team will work closely with selected organisations to create compelling content, and organisations will be able to distribute the content across their own channels with support from Partnership on AI.
Spots are limited. Submit your story today.
Facts Only
Partnership on AI (PAI) launched *Beyond the Code* in 2024, a series exploring AI's societal impact.
The first series featured stories from 11 countries, focusing on equitable and transparent AI development.
The series garnered over 1.5 million views on its hubsite and 99 million social media impressions.
A second series is now being produced by BBC StoryWorks Commercial Productions.
The new series will focus on four themes: AI's impact on work, infrastructure, healthcare, and global supply chains.
Organizations are invited to submit case studies by June 3, 2024.
Selected organizations will collaborate with BBC StoryWorks to produce branded content for a fee.
The content will be distributed across participants' channels with support from PAI.
The initiative highlights AI's growing role in healthcare, infrastructure, and daily decision-making.
Questions of accountability, trust, and equitable access are central to the series' focus.
Executive Summary
Full Take
This announcement reflects a strategic pivot in AI discourse—from speculative futurism to structural integration. The framing of *Beyond the Code* as a "branded content series" raises questions about narrative control: who gets to define "responsible AI" when access to storytelling is gated by production fees? The four themes—work, infrastructure, healthcare, and supply chains—mirror corporate and policy priorities, potentially sidelining grassroots or critical perspectives. While the series claims to explore "AI in action," the selection process favors organizations with resources to pay for production, risking a curated, industry-friendly narrative.
The emphasis on "real-world case studies" is laudable, but the absence of adversarial or investigative angles is notable. Will the series interrogate AI's failures (e.g., algorithmic bias in hiring) as rigorously as its successes? The 99 million impressions from the first series suggest demand for nuanced storytelling, yet the branded format may prioritize palatability over provocation.
**Patterns detected: ARC-0024 Ambiguity** (vague criteria for "equitable AI" without defined metrics), **ARC-0043 Motte-and-Bailey** (broad claims of "beneficial AI" that could retreat to narrower definitions if challenged).
**Bridge questions:**
1. How might the fee-based production model skew representation toward well-funded entities?
2. What mechanisms ensure diverse voices—especially from marginalized communities—are included?
3. If this series were part of a corporate reputation campaign, what red flags would you expect to see?
**Counterstrike scan:** A coordinated influence campaign would likely amplify uncritical success stories while omitting systemic risks. This announcement doesn’t match that pattern—it invites submissions broadly—but the branded format warrants scrutiny. The lack of transparency around selection criteria and editorial independence is the primary concern.
Sentinel — Human
This text functions as a well-structured announcement and call for submissions, characterized by specific data and clear organizational goals, suggesting human authorship.