The Ada Lovelace Institute in the UK has published a comprehensive report advocating for the establishment of a National Taskforce for Procurement of AI in Local Government. The report highlights critical gaps in the current AI procurement landscape, including fragmented guidance, inadequate resources, and a lack of accountability mechanisms. These deficiencies, the Institute warns, are undermining efforts to ensure AI technologies deliver positive societal impacts when deployed in public services.
The Institute’s findings stem from an in-depth examination of how local councils in England procure AI technologies. The research underscores that procurement is not merely about purchasing tools but is foundational to ensuring AI systems are safe, effective, and aligned with public interest. However, the report identifies significant challenges:
- Confusing Guidance: Multiple definitions of AI and social value create ambiguity for procurement teams, limiting their ability to make informed decisions.
- Technological Uncertainty: Many local councils lack the technical expertise to evaluate AI technologies, leaving them reliant on vendors’ claims.
- Market Imbalances: The dominance of large AI suppliers has led to vendor lock-in, reducing competition and limiting local councils’ bargaining power.
- Data and Infrastructure Issues: Poor data quality and infrastructure gaps hinder councils’ ability to maximize the benefits of AI.
- Lack of Public Engagement: Communities affected by AI deployments are often excluded from decision-making processes.
To address these issues, the Institute recommends the creation of a three-year National Taskforce. The taskforce would bring together experts from central and local government, regulatory bodies, and the private sector to provide cohesive, evidence-based solutions. Key objectives include:
- Developing Clear Guidance: The taskforce would clarify regulatory and legislative documents, ensuring they are consistent and actionable for local councils.
- Building Evidence and Metrics: Researching the impacts of AI technologies in local government to set benchmarks for success.
- Enhancing Governance: Creating robust governance structures, contract templates, and assessment frameworks to empower councils and reduce reliance on private suppliers.
- Improving Skills and Training: Designing targeted training programs to help procurement teams critically assess AI technologies and navigate vendor relationships.
The taskforce would also prioritize transparency and inclusivity, ensuring the public has a voice in decisions affecting their communities. The Institute suggests incorporating mechanisms like social witnesses—community members who oversee the procurement process—to bolster trust and accountability.
Moreover, the report emphasizes that the taskforce must work in tandem with existing local and central government networks. This collaborative model would avoid duplication of efforts and leverage the expertise of various stakeholders already addressing aspects of AI governance.
The report warns that failing to address current gaps in AI procurement could lead to significant harms, including discriminatory outcomes, financial losses, and erosion of public trust in government. With AI technologies expected to play a growing role in public services, the need for a unified, strategic approach is urgent.
As the UK Government rolls out the Procurement Act 2023 and advances its digital agenda, the Institute sees an opportunity to align these efforts with the recommendations outlined in the report. By establishing the proposed taskforce, the government could set a global standard for ethical and effective AI procurement, ensuring that these technologies enhance public services without compromising societal values.
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