2023 was a huge year for generative AI, and we all know that it was only the beginning.
AI’s momentum in the government tech scene isn’t slowing down anytime soon.
The recent strides in government technology offered a glimpse into what’s to come. The progress made over the past year indicates a trajectory for this well-funded and highly-promoted tool in 2024.
However, of one thing I’m very sure – it still has a way to go in terms of both capabilities and building trust among officials and citizens alike.
Of course, some sort of regulation is needed. And while there’s a consensus on the need for guardrails, the scope and enforceability of these regulations remain controversial points of debate.
The debate surrounding AI regulation often revolves around finding a balance between innovation and ensuring ethical and responsible AI development.
On the one hand, proponents advocate for clear guidelines that prevent biases, protect privacy, and maintain accountability, especially when AI is involved in critical decision-making processes impacting citizens’ lives. For that reason, in New York, Assembly Bill 8129 requires audits to assess AI tools’ potential impact on sex, race and different types of discrimination when it comes to application tracking systems (ATS). In comes the role of local government.
Conversely, others emphasise the challenges associated with overregulation. They express concerns about suppressing innovation, slowing it down, and creating bureaucratic hurdles that could impede the development of beneficial AI technologies for their citizens.
What’s the middle ground?
I firmly believe that collaboration is key to truly harnessing the potential and managing the risks of AI in local and central governance. Technology companies shouldn’t work in isolation. Genuine partnerships with various sectors like universities, research centres, private businesses, and the government are essential.
Why? Well, these different sectors bring unique strengths to the table. Universities and research centres are hotbeds of knowledge and innovation. They can provide valuable insights and advancements in AI technology.
Private companies often have the resources and expertise to develop and implement AI solutions. Meanwhile, the government understands the needs of their citizens and can ensure that AI is used ethically and in the public interest.
When all these sectors come together, they can combine their strengths to create AI systems that are not only ‘cutting-edge’ but also responsible and (most importantly) beneficial for society. This collaboration allows for a diversity of perspectives, ensuring that AI solutions address real-world problems effectively while upholding ethical standards and privacy (which is a huge issue for many citizens.)
The “how” involves creating platforms or forums where these sectors can collaborate, share knowledge, and work on AI projects together. Establishing guidelines and regulations for responsible AI use is also crucial. These partnerships should start early in the development stages to ensure that the AI is designed with the public’s best interests in mind.
The “when” for these collaborations is…. now. AI technologies are advancing faster than most care to admit, and their integration into governance is obviously increasing.
Many countries are already using AI to review digital aerial imagery from planes to identify field inspection and disaster recovery. AI technology allows for extracting new and insightful information from these valuable aerial image assets.
Even at the town level – AI can assist with stormwater issues, highway department tasks and (the obvious one) public safety – to increase efficiency by automating routine tasks.
By fostering these partnerships today, we can shape AI’s role in governance to be inclusive, transparent, and beneficial for all.
Picking up the pace
The current scenario points to a predominant utilisation of AI in cybersecurity within central governments. Yet, the potential of AI in revolutionising various other governmental functions remains largely untapped due to a lack of knowledge and expertise among government staff.
For example, AI can do more than just cybersecurity. It can help with making decisions, analysing data to find patterns, or even really, really improving and personalising public services. But if government workers don’t know about these possibilities or how to use AI tools, they might miss out on these benefits.
Another thing to consider is that AI is evolving quickly. What was true about AI a few years ago might not be the case now. So, it’s crucial for government workers to keep learning and stay updated about AI advancements.
By investing in education and training on AI for government personnel, we can bridge this gap and open up more opportunities for using AI effectively in the public sector.
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