This report outlines how the Eastern England Secure Data Environment (EE‑SDE) embedded meaningful Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) throughout the VISTA project. The aims of VISTA were to support and enhance existing EE-SDE processes, demonstrating how large-scale AI-enabled research can be conducted safely, efficiently and consistently, whilst helping other TREs adopt these approaches. Instead of creating a new PPIE structure, the project built on the EE‑SDE’s existing Core Public Advisory Group (CPAG), a diverse group of public contributors who meet regularly to advise on data governance, transparency and responsible research practices. Public contributors were involved in discussions on complex topics such as AI governance, statistical disclosure control, and national standards for Trusted Research Environments. Their feedback highlighted the importance of clear language, well‑structured sessions, and accessible explanations when discussing technical subjects. Contributors also emphasised that technology should support, not replace, human judgement, and that transparency and accountability remain key to building public trust. The report shows how public perspectives directly influenced improvements to communication materials, governance processes and national engagement activities. It also identifies areas for future improvement, including clearer role descriptions, better facilitation, and more accessible training for contributors involved in AI‑related decision‑making. Overall, the work demonstrates that with the right support, public contributors can play a vital role in shaping trustworthy, safe and transparent data‑research systems.
Makachiya et al. (Mon,) studied this question.