Artificial Intelligence Transition in Government: Moving from Expectations to Plan

Artificial Intelligence Primer Launched to Guide Government Use

A new Artificial Intelligence (AI) primer titled "Hello, World: Artificial Intelligence and its Use in the Public Sector" has been introduced to aid public officials in understanding AI, its definitions, context, and implications. The primer was originally published on the Observatory of Public Sector Innovation (OPSI) blog and has since been cross-posted to centralize AI-related blogs on the website AI Policy Observatory.

The UK Government's AI Council and Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation, an independent expert committee, has authored the primer. The committee, comprising leaders from business, academia, and civil society, aims to foster cross-sectoral collaboration within the AI community and advise on AI adoption, ethical use, and economic growth.

The primer covers major developments in the field of AI research and practice, offering practical knowledge for how government should understand, plan for, manage, and leverage AI for people and the public good. It aims to move beyond common AI misconceptions like scary robots and cyborgs.

AI technology is increasingly present in everyday life, from map usage and music recommendations to email filtering and speech recognition. Governments are recognising the potential of AI to enhance, accelerate, or augment human endeavors, but it is crucial that this is done without replacing human roles.

The primer emphasises the importance of developing a trustworthy, fair, and accountable approach to AI use by governments. It highlights the need to maintain legal and ethical frameworks that keep pace with AI's evolution and ensure that AI technology and systems respect human rights, democratic values, and diversity. Data management is crucial in AI, requiring secure ethical access to, and use of, quality data to protect people's privacy and security and mitigate bias.

Several governments have developed or are developing national AI strategies. For instance, China implemented "Interim Measures for the Management of Generative Artificial Intelligence Services" on August 15, 2023, while the EU published its AI Act regulation on July 12, 2024. The UK completed a consultation on its AI regulation approach by May 31, 2024, and the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the UK jointly published a guideline for AI system use on June 10, 2024. The European Commission is preparing a new AI strategy paper expected by the end of 2025.

The public consultation for the AI primer is open until September 15, 2019. The primer encourages a portfolio approach for government innovation using AI, with different strategies for managing AI based on the innovation facet considered or AI driving innovation in each facet. A robust AI strategy is systems-focused, encompassing all levels of government and considering interactions with other sectors and stakeholders.

The article originally appeared on Apolitical.co and underscores the need for a robust, fair, and accountable approach to AI use by governments to ensure that the benefits of AI are realised while minimising its risks.

Artificial Intelligence Transition in Government: Moving from Expectations to Plan