Government agrees framework for public sector's use of AI

The Government has told departments that all AI tools used by civil servants should comply with seven requirements which have been developed by the European Commission’s High-Level Expert Group on AI.

The Government has agreed a framework around the use of how artificial intelligence (AI) will be used in the public sector.

It comes in the wake of an agreement on a new European AI Act being reached between the European Parliament and the European Council.

The Government has told departments that all AI tools used by civil servants should comply with seven requirements which have been developed by the European Commission’s High-Level Expert Group on AI.

Those are:

• Human agency and oversight;
• Technical robustness and safety;
• Privacy and data governance;
• Transparency;
• Diversity, non-discrimination and fairness;
• Societal and environmental well-being;
• Accountability.

A Government statement on Tuesday said that an interim set of guidelines for the use of AI has also been developed by a cross-department working group on trustworthy AI in the public service.

The statement adds: "This document sets out interim guidelines and issues for consideration for Public Service organisations when considering the use of AI tools. It outlines Government’s commitment to the ethical use [of] AI. It also encourages risk assessments be carried out and outlines the safeguards and considerations that are relevant when exploring the use of AI tools."

Public Service organisations can access a "direct drawdown procurement framework for robotic process automation (RPA), funding support for AI projects (including via the recently launched Public Service Innovation Fund), as well as learning and development interventions for public servants at no cost to public service bodies," the Department of Public Expenditure said.

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Speaking about the guidance, Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe said: “AI presents significant opportunities to improve the delivery of public services and to assist in tackling many of the complex challenges we face. Our Government and public service must not shy away from the opportunities presented by AI because of the potential risks involved.

“The guidance issued today and the supports we have in place and future supports we are developing, will help public servants avail of those opportunities in a way that is ethical and maintains trust. AI is changing our world significantly and it is important we face that change directly and adapt quickly as required to both protect and deliver for the people we serve.” 

Enterprise Minister Simon Coveney added: “The potential productivity gains of AI technologies for our public service bodies are immense. These guidelines will support public service bodies in preparing for the forthcoming EU AI Act, which will be the first ever comprehensive legal framework for AI, providing guardrails to ensure that the rights of the individual are protected and supporting responsible innovation.”