The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has begun a procurement process for services to develop a range of AI tools.
It has published a prior information notice referring to ‘Nexus AI’ and indicating a total value of £10 million. It is planning to publish and invitation to tender in May and award a contract in June or July, running the procurement through the Crown Commercial Service’s AI DPS framework
DWP’s AI and Innovation Directorate has carried out a series of proof-of-concept experiments with various types of AI, including machine learning, generative AI and natural language processing, and is now planning to develop tools that can meet its technical and business criteria.
It wants a contractor to be able to provide services for implementing, supporting AI systems, evaluating relevant projects, supporting risk management and governance, helping to develop value frameworks and developing common components that can be recycled across government.
Humans in the loop
But it has also emphasised the importance of developing tools that work with human oversight.
“The supplier will consider sustainable, responsible, ethical, legal and commercial enablers and ensure that DWP continues with its overall strategy of keeping humans in the loop on any decision,” the notice says.
Over recent years DWP has reflected the trend in central government to harness the potential of AI, with plans such as using the technology as part of a new jobs and careers service and, as recently reported by The Independent, to make decisions on benefit applications.
