AI is here. This is how it can benefit everyone

AI can be used to enhance the accuracy and efficiency of decision-making and to improve lives through new apps and services. It can be used to solve some of the thorny policy problems of climate change, infrastructure and healthcare. It is no surprise that governments are therefore looking at ways to build AI expertise and understanding, both within the public sector but also within the wider community.

To unleash the potential of AI safely, however, issues such as accuracy, human control, transparency, bias and privacy need to be addressed. So governments should be role-modelling the ethical use of AI, and educating their people on AI and how to be ready for the opportunities and challenges.

One way countries could do this would be through setting up a body that is a visible focus for AI: a centre of excellence. Our project recommends this as a way to increase ethical AI use in a country and build public support for it across the economy and society.

1. The centre could draw staff from industry, government, academia and civil society, using a multidisciplinary and collaborative approach to provide advice on AI and algorithm use for government operations.

2. It would provide a means for governments to start to tackle the lack of knowledge about AI in all communities. The centre would start to raise awareness on AI itself and encourage conversations about people’s level of comfort with using it in different situations.

3. The centre will also provide current users of AI with a place to share concerns and problems, and talk with a group of experts and peers.

The centre would be supportive and educational and able to shape the ethical development of AI practices. To achieve this, it could include the following functions:

There are some great examples from a number of governments that offer lessons, both in terms of setting up bodies that are acting as centres of excellence, but also in developing key functions or tools that will support a centre of excellence.

The UK is a pioneer in this area with the Office for AI, which was set up to drive responsible and innovative uptake of AI technologies for the benefit of everyone in the country. This involves making sure AI is safe through good governance, strong ethical foundations and understanding of key issues such as the future of work; supporting the adoption of AI across all sectors; and making sure foundational building blocks such as skills, data, investment and leadership are in place.

AI Singapore is bringing together all Singapore-based research institutions and the AI ecosystem start-ups and companies to “catalyse, synergise and boost” Singapore’s capability to power its digital economy. Its objective is to use AI to address major challenges currently affecting society and industry.

India too has launched a Centre of Excellence in AI to improve the delivery of AI government e-services. The Centre will be a platform for innovation and act as a gateway to test and develop solutions and build capacity across government departments.

Canada, the first country in the world to develop a National AI Strategy, set up centres of excellence in AI research and innovation in three of its universities in 2018. This investment in academics and researchers has built on Canada’s reputation as a leading AI research hub.

Malta has established the Malta Digital Innovation Authority, which is a regulatory authority responsible for governmental policies aimed at positioning Malta as a centre of excellence and innovation in digital technologies. It sets and enforces standards and puts in place protections for users.

Data ethics has been a rich area for many countries. Denmark’s Danish Expert group on Data Ethics provided a number of recommendations to government on ensuring core values underpin the use of data; while the UK has also established a Centre for Data Ethics & Innovation, to connect policy-makers, industry, civil society and the public to make sure the United Kingdom develops the right governance regime for data-driven technologies.

The beauty of a centre of excellence is that it is a flexible and agile tool that can be adjusted according to the needs and demands of the time and place. There are many examples to look at and draw from to develop a body that best reflects its environment and values - we are standing on the shoulders of giants!