Thomas Mollema

Why the Public Sector can’t do without Explainable and Responsible AI

The public sector stands at a turning point with the rapid rise of artificial intelligence. As AI systems increasingly shape how public services are delivered, the question is not whether we use AI, but how we do so responsibly. This article outlines the importance of building an ethical infrastructure around AI, with a central role for explainable AI. By focusing on transparency, accountability, and monitoring, public organizations can ensure that AI serves democratic values and reinforces trust between government and society.

Part 3: When and where is AI ethics needed?

It's nice to know that AI ethics is a must when your organization is deploying AI to solve societal problems or better serve the public. Simply putting in the money won't take you very far. Making AI work for society is the work of people after all. But how to do it then? When and where should ethical reflection on AI be introduced in public organizations? The separate phases of AI usage can be distinguished. They are related to helpful ethical questions that are specific to those phases, and insights are shared on where to situate the AI ethics capability in your organization.

Part 2: AI ethics: mitigate risks and harness potential

If you want to apply AI to your organization's problems, where do you start? How do you do so in line with the public values you want to protect? Like all technologies, whether AI helps or harms depends on how you use it. But ignorant use of AI is more likely to do harm than do good. This means not reflecting on how AI relates to your organization's goals and values. 'Why is AI ethics necessary for every organization using AI systems?' It is therefore the second question addressed regarding AI ethics for public organizations.

Part 1: The basics of AI ethics

‘What really is the ethics of AI?’ We often get this question from public organizations. Joining AI and ethics might seem strange at first glance, but raising ethical questions is essential to make AI work for your organization. No automating technology is a 'quick fix' for the difficult societal problems that public organizations deal with. Only AI systems that are sensible by design , well thought-out, and steer clear of ethical risks succeed in helping solve large, societal challenges. Think of making health care more effective, efficiently sharing information with stakeholders, and strengthening social security and well-being. The role of ethics in applying AI to societal challenges is therefore worth examining.

AI ethics for public organizations: An introduction series

In the public debate, artificial intelligence (AI) is seen as a means to increase worker productivity and provide better and more health care. AI could also speed up and automate administrative processes, distribute energy and resources more efficiently, and better detect natural hazards. AI is simultaneously a technology and a social promise. Public organizations are raising questions about AI. Should they do something with AI? How does AI relate to the problems that they must solve?