Transparency on public sector AI use fosters trust, says AI minister Feryal Clark

AI sensors

Sutton is keen to share the work the council has done. Using an algorithm, the council collects and analyses data gathered by a range of sensors in homes of vulnerable residents.

This includes sensors on fridges, kettles and doors, enabling family and carers to build up a picture of the resident’s daily routine, meaning that action can quickly be taken if something is amiss.

The council, like many others, knew that its analogue telecare provision would need to change, with telephony lines across the UK being upgraded from analogue to digital.

In 2022, the council went out to tender for a key strategic partner to recommission its telecare services, and eventually signed a contract with Medequip Connect, and joined in a partnership with the Access Group, which is responsible for technology.

At the moment, there are around 1400 service users, utlising all or parts of the sensor technologies available.

Transparency and trust

Clark said that Sutton, along with the other local authorities – including West Berkshire, which uses AI to decide whether or not residents’ applications for larger bins are approved – are all part of showing the public how AI is being used for good.

The government recently published its AI opportunities action plan, setting out a series of measures to develop the UK as a powerhouse for artificial intelligence. This is where ATRS comes in, Clark explained.

“If we want to utilise the power of AI, we need people to trust the AI that they’re using. The way we do that is to apply a level of transparency, so people know where and how that technology is being used to make decisions about them. It gives them a better understanding, it builds confidence and trust, whether it’s with central government services or local government services. It’s a way of making transparent what we’re doing, and where we’re doing it,” she said.

“We’re keen to make sure of good use where public services are being transformed and [that] we are using it for the good is amplified, and means people understand how this technology can help to improve our public services and how it can impact their lives. The public need to hear about the good stories.”

Clark is also keen to see more examples such as Sutton, where the public and private sector work together to made a difference.

“You have ambitious government, but you also have a private sector responding to that as well. And you have the public who see the benefits, understand it, trust it, want to use it – if you get all of those right, we will be at the forefront of the AI revolution,” she said.

The government hopes the publication of the algorithm transparency data for public sector organisations will mean more local authorities are keen to take part.

Other local authorities that form part of ATRS include Social Care Wales and its qualifications chatbot; and Camden Council’s RentSense AI tool pilot, which analyses housing tenants rent transactions and prioritises those in arrears, among others.