Wales’ Workforce Partnership Council has published new guidance on the ethical and responsible use of AI in public sector workplaces.
The partnership of the Welsh Government, trade unions and employers has published two reports on different elements of the issue: Managing technology that manages people and Using artificial intelligence at work.
They are focused on how organisations can exploit the opportunities of AI in managing staff through processes such as organising shift patterns and setting expectations of performance and productivity, while at the same term supporting their wellbeing.
The first report outlines a partnership approach to using algorithmic management systems, the second benchmarks awareness and understanding of AI in the Welsh public sector.
The Welsh Government said the reports provide a holistic approach for the implementation of AI, focusing on checks and balances, responsible implementation and post-adoption evaluation.
Principles for approaches
A handful of principles underpin the approaches in the technology management report, including the need for human oversight of all strategic decisions on the use of algorithmic management systems, and human interaction in day-to-day operations and decision making.
This is accompanied by a commitment to building capability regarding the systems at all levels across the workforce.
Ther others are social partnership, adherence to the Welsh Government’s definition of fair work, and a commitment to create and protect jobs and invest in the workforce.
The paper also includes guidance on due diligence and consultation in procurement, staff training, the ongoing monitoring of systems and safeguarding individuals’ rights.
Varied awareness
The benchmarking report indicates that there is a varied awareness and understanding of AI in public sector workplaces, which includes some misconceptions. People could see the value of using AI to increase efficiency and automate repetitive tasks, but also pointed to risks such as the effect upon human interaction and connection, and ethical concerns about the use of AI in daily life.
It also highlights barriers to adoption in the public sector, including: the lack of understanding among the workforce; limits of the existing technology; and disconnects between system designers or procurers and the staff who use the systems day-to-day.
It concludes with recommendations including more surveys to investigate the understanding and use of AI in the workplace, collecting more evidence on the current and future use of the technology, and building a wider capability in the workforce regarding the uses, opportunities and risks involved.
Transparency and human oversight
Minister for Social Partnership Jack Sargeant said: “As AI continues to shape the future of our workplaces, it is crucial that public service workers and organisations alike benefit from this continued innovation. Our approach ensures that AI adoption in public services is transparent and underpinned by human oversight.
“The three key principles reflect our ‘Welsh way’ of social partnership - collaborative decision making that prioritises fairness, job security and workforce development.
“With these resources, we are reaffirming Wales’ position as a leader in ethical AI adoption, setting a benchmark for responsible technology management across the public sector.”
The Welsh Government said the guidance has received support from the Social Partnership Council and other stakeholders, and that it will follow up the move with a communications programme to ensure the approaches in the reports are embedded in workplaces across Wales.
The Centre for Digital Public Services is also working on complementary resources to further aid public sector bodies in the ethical use of AI.
