Central government departments are to be required to proactively publish information on how and why they are using algorithms to support decision making.
The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) has highlighted the plan in its response to the consultation on regulation for AI, saying it builds on the development of the Algorithmic Transparency Recording Standard (ATRS).
The response document says that, following a successful pilot of ATRS and publication of a cross-government version last year, “we will now be making use of the ATRS a requirement for all government departments and plan to expand this across the broader public sector over time”.
The move reflects continuing concern over the need for the public sector to be open about its use of algorithms to help build public trust.
Jumpstart capabilities
The response also includes plans to strengthen the regulation of AI developments, including a pledge of £10 million to “jumpstart regulator’s AI capabilities”, a commitment by UK Research and Innovation that future investments in AI research will support regulator skills and expertise, and a partnership with the US on responsible AI.
In addition, a new steering committee will be set up to support coordination between bodies involved in AI governance.
In the document’s foreword, Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology Michelle Donelan says: “My ambition is for us to revolutionise the way we deliver public services by becoming a global leader in safe AI development and deployment.”
