Government’s ambition is for the public sector to set an example in the safe and ethical deployment of artificial intelligence (AI), which both has the potential to transform services for the taxpayer and presents risks and concerns. Cross-government work began in 2023 on developing a draft strategy for AI adoption in the public sector.
The National Audit Office (NAO) reported in March 2024 that 70% of government bodies surveyed are piloting or planning the use of AI, with uses including supporting operational decision-making and improving internal processes. It pointed to risks to value for money of not establishing which department is responsible for delivery of the public sector AI adoption strategy, with wide-scale benefits achievable through tackling the issues of ageing IT infrastructure, risks, skills gaps, and data issues.
The Committee’s 2023 digital transformation in government report warned that government staffing cuts add to digital skills shortages and risk increased costs, with government estimating that it has under half the number of digital, data and technology professionals it requires. The Science, Innovation and Technology Committee has also reported on the impact, regulation and governance of artificial intelligence.
Based on the NAO report, the Committee will hear from senior officials at DSIT, the Central Digital and Data Office and the Cabinet Office, on subjects including:
- Departmental accountability on AI delivery, funding and implementation;
- Progress on strategy development and governance arrangements;
- Risks and opportunities of AI adoption in government;
- Data and skills issues in government.
If you have evidence on these issues, please submit it here by 23:59 on 3 May 2024.
Please look at the requirements for written evidence submissions and note that the Committee cannot accept material as evidence that is published elsewhere.