Government putting AI to work across its departments

New records show the inner workings of algorithmic tools at use across government.

The Algorithmic Transparency Recording Standard records show how artificial intelligence (AI) is being used to help public services “to support citizens, make quick and accurate decisions, and drive forward the use of technology to improve vital government services and cut backlogs.”

As an example, it said the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is using AI to more quickly provide Britons with information when they need help abroad. Additionally, the Ministry of Justice is using algorithms to help researchers better understand how people interact with the justice system, and other departments are using AI to improve job adverts.

Minister for AI and Digital Government, Feryal Clark, recently highlighted the government’s commitment to being a leading adopter of AI technology, not just a promoter.

“We are not just pushing it; we are a customer as well,” she explained. “We want to ensure that the UK becomes one of the best places to set up and scale up AI businesses, and we are taking steps to support the industry’s growth.”

And last week, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Pat McFadden, set out that the benefits of technology like AI must be felt in the public services as well as in the private sector, and the power of tech should be used to modernise government.

“Technology has huge potential to transform public services for the better, we will put it to use to cut backlogs, save money and improve outcomes for citizens across the country,” said Science Secretary Peter Kyle.

“Transparency in how and why the public sector is using algorithmic tools is crucial to ensure that they are trusted and effective. That is why we will continue to take bold steps like releasing these records to make sure everyone is clear on how we are applying and trialling technology as we use it to bring public services back from the brink.”

Department for Business and Trade using AI to drive economic growth

Among the records published today, the Department for Business and Trade has revealed that it is using an algorithmic tool to predict which companies export goods to other countries, which it said is driving economic growth and supporting the Government’s Plan for Change.

Officials in the department are able to make more targeted decisions about which companies they reach out and offer help to, so high potential exporting businesses can reach more international customers quickly.

Before the tool was put in place, officials had to use more manual methods to sift through data on the over five million companies registered on Companies House to target support – slowing down help the government could offer.

“Our Plan for Change will deliver economic growth, and for that to succeed we need to support companies across the UK to realise their full potential when it comes to exporting around the globe,” said Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds.

“Our use of AI plays a vital and growing role in that mission, allowing high-growth businesses to maximise the export opportunities available to them, while ensuring that we are using taxpayers’ money responsibly and efficiently in delivering economic stability.”

Central Government to publish records of AI use

New today, the Government is also setting clear terms for the tools algorithmic transparency records will cover, so people know how the government is making use of AI. This confirms that central government organisations will publish a record for any algorithmic tool that interacts directly with citizens or significantly influences decisions made about people, unless a narrow set of exemptions apply such as national security. It also confirms that records will be published for tools once they are being piloted publicly or are live and running.

The records set out “how reliable data is used to train AI models, what underlying technology is used in each case, and how any risks are managed effectively.” In every case where civil servants use algorithmic tools to make quicker decisions, the records also show how trained staff remain behind the ultimate decision-making process.

A  Private Members’ Bill designed to regulate the use of algorithms and automated decision-making by public bodies announced in September is currently in the committee stage.

Under the new bill’s proposals, if a citizen is refused benefits or there is an immigration decision that is made using an automated system, they would have a right to access the information on why that happened so they might challenge it.