Exploring AI Applications in City Government: The Promise and the Risks National League of Cities

To develop this framework, GAO convened a Comptroller General Forum with AI experts from across the federal government, industry, and nonprofit sectors. It also conducted an extensive literature review and obtained independent validation of key practices from program officials and subject matter experts. In addition, GAO interviewed AI subject matter experts representing industry, state audit associations, nonprofit entities, and other organizations, as well as officials from federal agencies and Offices of Inspector General.

• Here are 12 advantages the technology brings to organizations across various industry sectors.
• The Procurement in a Box aims to empower government officials to more confidently make responsible AI purchasing decisions.
• And this is the area of study I would like to see developed further — Use of Self-Sovereign Digital Identities by Citizens to Drive adoption of Responsible AI.
• AI algorithms need to be trained on large amounts of data in order to be effective.

Although it is impressive that a bot can write an article on its own, it lacks the human touch present in other Forbes articles. An example of this is online customer support chatbots, which can provide instant assistance to customers anytime, anywhere. Using AI and natural language processing, chatbots can answer common questions, resolve issues, and escalate complex problems to human agents, ensuring seamless customer service around the clock. Among the reversals highlighted in the report is an 80% increase in the number of people affected by disasters since 2015 to more than 150 million – despite a pledge in the Sendai framework for governments to put in place measures that can help “substantially reduce the number of disaster-affected people globally”. The UK civil service’s other trade unions, Prospect and PCS, have already staged industrial action this year over pay, while other parts of the UK public sector including the National Health Service and schools have also been affected by strike action.

Chile’s road to algorithmic transparency: Setting new…

In summary, the benefits of AI in state and local government operations are vast. From enhancing efficiency through automation to enabling smarter decision-making through data analysis, the application of AI in government has the potential to transform the way public services are delivered and improve the overall well-being of citizens. The use of artificial intelligence (AI) in state and local government agencies has significantly improved public safety measures. AI-powered technologies enable law enforcement agencies to predict and prevent crimes more effectively, ensuring the wellbeing of citizens. One of the primary benefits of implementing AI in public safety is the ability to analyze vast amounts of data in real-time. Through advanced algorithms and machine learning capabilities, AI systems can identify patterns and trends that may indicate criminal activity.

• An example of this is using robots in manufacturing assembly lines, which can handle repetitive tasks such as welding, painting, and packaging with high accuracy and speed, reducing costs and improving efficiency.
• This could benefit cost optimization and also strengthen cybersecurity, as it can help detect threats quickly.
• Amid fears that AI could heighten bias or affect privacy, the state is forming an advisory committee to recommend how the technology is deployed.
• At the same time, irresponsible use could exacerbate societal harms such as fraud, discrimination, bias, and disinformation; displace and disempower workers; stifle competition; and pose risks to national security.
• Hence, the narratives of competition and “arms race” is born and mirrored in the policy choices of the decision-makers.

These programs are detailed further in Government by Algorithm, a 2020 report from ACUS. Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, a UK private company limited by guarantee (“DTTL”), its network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) does not provide services to clients. In the United States, Deloitte refers to one or more of the US member firms of DTTL, their related entities that operate using the “Deloitte” name in the United States and their respective affiliates. Certain services may not be available to attest clients under the rules and regulations of public accounting.

AI governance in the public sector: Three tales from the frontiers of automated decision-making in democratic settings

Large-dollar government programs remain the biggest targets of fraudsters, with illicit billing schemes and forged documents being to apply for legitimate benefits remaining the top forms of governmental fraud. State agencies are more vulnerable to such fraud than local governments due to the breadth of programs and dependence on online application portals. The situation is worsened because of limited government budgets, a loss of institutional knowledge due to large-scale retirements, and an increased workload in understaffed government offices. Neither the DWP nor the Home Office would give details of how the automated processes work, but both have said the processes they use are fair because the final decisions are made by people. Many experts worry, however, that biased algorithms will lead to biased final decisions, because officials can only review the cases flagged to them and often have limited time to do so. Experts worry about a repeat of that scandal in the UK, warning that British officials are using poorly-understood algorithms to make life-changing decisions without the people affected by those decisions even knowing about it.

With states and localities responsible for administering benefits programs like SNAP, the idea of embracing AI may be a frightening one, especially if it comes in the form of an unfunded federal mandate. Sanders said bringing technology to benefits programs is “nothing new,” even though progress may have felt slow at times. That has included moving SNAP away from physical food stamps to a plastic card that is automatically reloaded, and moving towards allowing electronic signatures on documents rather than requiring “wet” signatures on paperwork that must be mailed.

FCC to reinstate council tasked with studying AI’s impact on communications networks

They are capable of setting national priorities, investments and regulations for AI, and can also use it to redefine the ways in which the public sector creates policies and services. Hype around emerging technologies often overstates or obscures practical applications. An understanding of AI is therefore critical for helping policy makers and civil servants determine whether it can help them achieve their missions. Conversational AI’s integration into public sector operations and service delivery unlocks 24/7 accessibility, improves efficiency, and generates data-driven insights. As this technology advances, governments must leverage it to provide more responsive and proactive programs for citizens and employees. For instance, chatbots powered by AI can provide immediate responses to citizen inquiries, lessening wait times and enhancing the customer experience.

This assists policymakers in making informed decisions, minimizing risks, and optimizing resource allocation for maximum effectiveness. In the realm of governance, AI holds significant potential for enhancing decision-making processes. AI applications can range from voice assistants and recommendation systems to advanced data analysis and autonomous decision-making.

Reduction in Human Error

AI offers many tools to drive innovation and transformation in government operations, from predictive analytics to machine learning algorithms. As we continue to navigate the digital age, governments must embrace the power of AI and harness its potential for the benefit of their citizens. This would incentivize and reward the beneficial deployment of AI within national governments, as well as shedding light on the controversies and risks of Automated Decision Systems in sensitive public services domain and policy areas. A robust response to the federal government’s request for the development and implementation of equitable AI requires a balanced analysis of the harms from these technologies.

Organizations declaring their support for Responsible AI principles and standards is an example. Independent audits and third-party certifications of compliance to standards define the next level. So the paradigm shift will still be long and painful, but we (philosophers) and we (governments) must work to accelerate it. We have to understand that we live in an informational environment, in an infosphere.

A disadvantage of AI in education is the potential for ethical and privacy concerns. AI systems collect and analyze a significant amount of data on students, including their performance, behavior, and personal information. There is a need to ensure that this data is handled securely, with appropriate privacy safeguards in place.

Negative experiences of developing and procuring new technologies in the past affects risk aversion levels and appetite for experimentation. This adds to the intense policy design work at national level, which has originated so far. These efforts document a firm intention of European governments to be the main actors in regulating the use of AI in society and stimulate its development by e.g. a more clear discipline of access to valuable data sets. In this context, the public sector plays a vital role in the development and uptake of AI.

Natural Language Processing:

But what to many might feel like a trend or a novelty is quickly becoming an essential tool and a solution for the public sector. In 2020, it was estimated that 150 federal government programs used AI to assist with decision making and to make predictions based upon vast amounts of data and algorithms. States and municipalities are also adopting AI in a variety of contexts including law enforcement, public benefits distribution, fraud detection, permitting, employment, housing, and more. This work shall include the development of AI assurance policy — to evaluate important aspects of the performance of AI-enabled healthcare tools — and infrastructure needs for enabling pre-market assessment and post-market oversight of AI-enabled healthcare-technology algorithmic system performance against real-world data. By leveraging AI technologies, governments can streamline processes, improve decision-making, and enhance citizen services.

The urgency of the reform has been underlined by the general perception of PUP’s being inefficient, understaffed and unfit to address the challenges posed by the modern labour market. With that in mind – and without significant public spending increases – MLSP has scoped solutions that would ensure more efficient budget allocation. In this light, resorting to profiling using the automated system has come across as ticking all the boxes – both as a modern, cost efficient and individualized method of service delivery. As a part of an effort to make the immigration process more efficient, Canada has begun using automated decision making in sorting and filtering of people’s applications as early as 2014. The urgency of the process is amplified by the fact that Canada is projecting to admit up to 340,000 new permanent residents annually until 2020 (Government of Canada, 2017). This paper is a part of a wider research project,1

and focuses on the overview of existing AI-related legal and policy instruments and matching case studies of the use of AI in the public sector in three selected democratic countries.

(iv)   convening a cross-agency forum for ongoing collaboration between AI professionals to share best practices and improve retention. (ii)   Within 90 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Transportation shall direct appropriate Federal Advisory Committees of the DOT to provide advice on the safe and responsible use of AI in transportation. The committees shall include the Advanced Aviation Advisory Committee, the Transforming Transportation Advisory Committee, and the Intelligent Transportation Systems Program Advisory Committee. (B)  issuing guidance, or taking other action as appropriate, in response to any complaints or other reports of noncompliance with Federal nondiscrimination and privacy laws as they relate to AI. (ii)  facilitate continued availability of visa appointments in sufficient volume for applicants with expertise in AI or other critical and emerging technologies.

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