Yesterday, the Centre for Machine Intelligence (CMI) at the University of Sheffield, in a pioneering collaboration with Sheffield City Council, hosted a critical workshop focused on the Responsible Use of AI within local authorities. The event saw strong participation from Sheffield City Council colleagues, including representatives from their Information Governance Working Group and Data Network Group, as well as delegates from Barnsley, Doncaster, and Rotherham Councils, the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority, the Ada Lovelace Institute and the People’s Panel on AI, highlighting a shared regional commitment to ethical AI deployment.
The workshop was expertly facilitated by CMI's Denis Newman-Griffis and Susan Oman, who commenced by setting the scene with insights derived from the significant FRAIM (Framing Responsible AI Implementation and Management) and Public Voices in AI Projects. These projects provide crucial frameworks for understanding public perspectives and practical challenges in implementing responsible AI.
Attendees engaged in a series of dynamic discussion sessions, delving into fundamental questions for local government:
- Identifying the crucial factors that define 'responsible AI' in a local authority context.
- Determining clear lines of responsibility for ensuring these factors are addressed.
- Pinpointing the essential knowledge, best practices, and resources required for local authorities to confidently and responsibly integrate AI into their operations.
The valuable discussions and collective expertise shared during the workshop will form the basis of a forthcoming short report to be co-authored with local government partners. This report will summarise key recommendations, aiming to provide practical guidance and foster best practices for responsible AI adoption across local government nationally.