Ministers have published new guidance to help the Scottish public sector use AI ‘safely, responsibly and effectively’ for public services.
The Scottish Government has released a suite of guidance and resources designed to help a range of people in different roles across the public sector to consider and potentially use AI within public services.
Published on the Digital Scotland Service Manual, the guide includes sections on deciding whether AI is the right solution, principles for using AI, developing and managing AI systems and recording AI systems.
It is aimed not only at digital staff, but the ‘single, trusted source of guidance’ is designed to help colleagues in policy teams, operational areas, service designers, programme managers and senior leaders.
Becca Fairless, head of digital citizen policy, in the Scottish Government’s Digital Directorate, wrote in a blog post today: “As interest in AI has grown, so too has the amount of information available. This can make it difficult for organisations to know where to start.
“The DSSM is already recognised as playing an important role in supporting consistent approaches to designing and delivering digital services across organisational boundaries. Publishing AI guidance here allows us to build on a trusted platform that already aligns with Scotland’s wider digital public service landscape.”
Additional content will be incorporated over time to reflect developments in technology, policy, and user requirements.
Staff are also encouraged to share feedback on the document and to share experiences and learning of AI, as well as to potentially collaborate.
In the guide it is also stressed that staff should be aware of the risks of using AI and also to involve procurement colleagues ‘early’ if they are going to market for products or services that use the technology.