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Starting an AI program in Government

Policy making steps
The basic steps to starting a government AI program
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  • Key initial focus areas for a Government AI program

  • Drafting an AI working program

  • Establishing an AI working group – template guide

  • Developing interim AI guidance

  • Engaging with stakeholders

  • Next steps

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Key initial focus areas for a government AI program 
Key focus table
Drafting an initial AI work program

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To ensure the government is capable of maximising the opportunities of AI and managing the risks. Outline priority short, medium, and long-term activities.

 

Short-term


Develop interim guidance for government use of generative AI tools

  • Assess and expand upon the risk classification and assessment in the interim guidance.

 

Develop approach on governance

  • Develop an approach to AI governance that provides a more consistent and fit for purpose model for agencies.

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Investigate feasibility of a policy for the responsible use of AI in government

  • Investigate the feasibility of policy development that covers government-specific AI issues and the rules that guide the responsible use of AI in agencies. 

 

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Medium-term
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Develop approach on risk management and guidance approach that would help agencies assess AI risk and apply appropriate mitigations.

  • Develop a risk management approach and provide guidance on how to use it.

 

Develop policies relating to the responsible use of AI

  • Develop a policy for the responsible use of AI in government if it is found to be feasible.

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Establish AI Proof of Concepts

  • Drawing on the expertise of leading agencies already using AI, establish Proof of Concepts (PoC) and /or build on existing use cases across a range of use case categories.

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Develop technical approaches for rolling out AI tools in government

  • Work with leading agencies to establish case studies for how various categories of technical use cases can be designed, developed and deployed in agencies.

 

Develop approach on preparedness

  • Work with relevant national security and intelligence agencies to prepare a series of patterns / processes for agencies to follow when relevant circumstances arise.

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Long-term

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Develop a Data and Digital Workforce Plan to address capability gaps

  • Develop plan and ongoing monitoring and evaluation of government capabilities.

Example template

Key messages for interim guidance for AI use

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Note that generative AI offers innovative opportunities for government

 

  • Due to its rapid evolution and ease of access, there is an urgent need and growing demand for guidance

  • Interim Government guidance for government agencies has been developed for users

  • This is just the start and more guidance will be developed over the coming months

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Taking a principles-based approach for AI in government

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  • Ensure AI use cases are safe,  responsible, and ethical

  • Deploy AI responsibly

  • Seek to be transparent and provide explainability

  • Embed privacy and security

  • Use human centred decision making

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Provide some tactical guidance for implementing the principles and note more will follow 

When using generative AI platforms, you should:

 

  • only use your corporate credentials to sign up

  • obtain approval before using 

  • review all generated content and consider links and files malicious until vetted

  • report instances where you can’t apply the guidance 

Engagement stakeholders table

Next Steps

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Begin work on the core areas:

 

  • Governance 

  • Risk management

  • Skills and capability

  • Technical 

  • Preparedness

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