The government has rolled out an updated list of public sector applications that harness artificial intelligence (AI) and automation, aiming to showcase transparency in these systems.
These algorithmic transparency records provide insight into how government departments utilize AI, laying out how reliable data trains AI models, detailing the technologies in use, and explaining how risks are managed. Importantly, even when civil servants use these algorithmic tools for expedited decision-making, the records clarify that trained staff are still in charge of the final decisions. This update encompasses all algorithmic tools that have direct interactions with citizens or significantly influence personal decisions. While there are a few exceptions related to national security, the government is dedicated to releasing records for any tools being piloted or actively in use.
Science secretary Peter Kyle commented on this update, highlighting technology’s immense potential to enhance public services. He noted the government’s commitment to utilizing technology to reduce backlogs, save expenses, and improve services for citizens nationwide. He emphasized the importance of transparency in the public sector’s use of algorithmic tools to foster trust and effectiveness, vowing to continue sharing this information as part of their efforts to revitalize public services.
Among the newly listed applications is a tool from the Department for Business and Trade that predicts which companies are likely to export goods and identifies those needing extra support. Business secretary Jonathan Reynolds stated that their Plan for Change is focused on driving economic growth, which includes aiding UK companies in maximizing their export potential. He stressed that AI is crucial in this strategy, ensuring taxpayers’ money is used efficiently while delivering economic stability.
The latest records also include chatbots from Network Rail and the Ministry of Justice, along with an internal HR tool from the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology. Automation tools featured are the Correspondence Triage Automation Tool from HM Treasury, the Consular Digital Triage written inquiries tool from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, and the Complexity Application Routing Solution for visa applications. Additional applications involve a search tool at the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) for accessing published guidance, a writing assistant at the Ministry of Defence, and the Pension Calculator from the Department of Work and Pensions to help citizens estimate their potential retirement income.