Artificial intelligence in the APS is here to stay and the Federal Government has launched GovAI to help with its use. Photo: Tom Sompong.
The Federal Government is serious about its workforce embracing artificial intelligence and is today (31 July) launching a new platform to help public servants get on board.
Finance and Public Service Minister Katy Gallagher is promoting GovAI, which she says will empower Australian Public Service employees to develop AI skills safely and ethically.
The government is looking to integrate more AI solutions into the APS’s everyday work.
“AI is increasingly becoming a feature of modern workplaces across Australia and the world, which is why the public service must be capable of harnessing the opportunities it provides while also maintaining public trust,” Senator Gallagher said.
“A safe and methodical adoption plan for the uptake of AI in the APS will mean better outcomes for public servants, for Australians who rely on everyday services, and for Australian companies doing business with the Commonwealth.”
GovAI includes a catalogue of AI tools, hands-on training, and a secure ‘sandbox’ where APS staff can safely test AI processes.
Sandboxing is a security practice used in an isolated environment, known as a sandbox, for testing.
Within the sandbox, codes can be run and analysed safely without affecting an application, system or platform.
The government also hopes GovAI will help teams to share and collaborate across agencies.
It says confidence in using AI is the key to unlocking the potential of the tool, but that doing so incrementally and safely, taking public servants on a journey, is equally crucial.
The launch of GovAI comes on the same day as the AI Government Showcase.
Led by the Department of Finance and the Digital Transformation Agency (DTA), the showcase offers Australian small and medium enterprises the opportunity to show off their products in the hope of unlocking potential partnerships between government and the private sector on AI solutions.
Senator Gallagher said with AI being rapidly adopted by firms and institutions in Australia and around the world, the government wants to ensure the APS is best placed to take advantage of the productivity and service delivery gains these new technologies will provide.
“We want to foster greater collaboration between government and industry and ensure we provide small and medium businesses with the opportunities to thrive,” the Minister said.
“Which is why today’s industry showcase is so important.”
New AI Technical Standards for the APS are also being launched today, designed by the DTA in consultation with government agencies.
The standards set out consistent expectations for the design, development and operation of new AI systems in government.
Senator Gallagher said the government is fully committed to harnessing the benefits that AI brings, but doing so in a way that is safe and allows people to do what people do best.
It has previously published its policy for the responsible use of AI in government, seeking to ensure the APS plays a leadership role in embracing AI for the benefit of Australians.
The DTA led a Pilot AI Assurance Framework last year for participating agencies to assess the impact of AI applications.
The government has also issued eight Artificial Intelligence (AI) Ethics Principles designed to keep use of the technology “safe, secure and reliable”.
Those eight principles are:
- Human, societal and environmental wellbeing – AI systems should benefit individuals, society and the environment
- Human-centred values – AI systems should respect human rights, diversity, and the autonomy of individuals
- Fairness – AI systems should be inclusive and accessible, and should not involve or result in unfair discrimination against individuals, communities or groups
- Privacy protection and security – AI systems should respect and uphold privacy rights and data protection, and ensure the security of data
- Reliability and safety – AI systems should reliably operate in accordance with their intended purpose
- Transparency and explainability – There should be transparency and responsible disclosure so people can understand when they are being significantly impacted by AI, and can find out when an AI system is engaging with them
- Contestability – When an AI system significantly impacts a person, community, group or environment, there should be a timely process to allow people to challenge the use or outcomes of the AI system, and
- Accountability – People responsible for the different phases of the AI system lifecycle should be identifiable and accountable for the outcomes of the AI systems, and human oversight of AI systems should be enabled.
The DTA’s new AI Technical Standards can be found on its website and all APS employees can now access GovAI through a GovTEAMS login.
