New Guidelines for Generative AI Use in Public Sector Aim to Safeguard Privacy and Decision-making
The Cabinet has recently approved new guidelines for the use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) within the public sector. These guidelines were drafted by the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) in July and aim to ensure the responsible and ethical use of AI while safeguarding privacy and decision-making processes.
Under these guidelines, public sector workers utilizing generative AI are required to have their outputs evaluated by an assigned party to identify any potential risks. This evaluation process is crucial in ensuring that the outputs generated by AI systems are accurate, reliable, and free from bias.
Moreover, the guidelines emphasize that government agencies should not solely rely on generative AI outputs or unverified content for administrative actions or official decision-making. This underscores the importance of human involvement in the decision-making process to ensure accountability and prevent the undue influence of AI systems.
Transparency is another key aspect addressed in the guidelines. Government agencies are now required to disclose the use of generative AI when it is employed as a tool for official tasks. This transparency allows for greater accountability and public understanding of how AI is being utilized within the public sector.
To guarantee the protection of information and privacy, the guidelines also stress the need for users to adhere to regulations concerning information security, personal data protection, and copyright. Users are prohibited from using AI to compose confidential documents, disclose classified official information, or access personal data without authorization.
Furthermore, the guidelines make it clear that AI systems should not be utilized for queries involving confidential work or personal information. This further ensures the protection of sensitive data and maintains the integrity of public sector operations.
However, the guidelines acknowledge that closed AI systems, operating within controlled environments and limited external interactions, can process confidential data in accordance with the level of confidentiality required.
The Cabinet, through the NSTC, will be instructing all government agencies to comply with these guidelines. This move aligns with the government’s efforts to establish a comprehensive ethical and legal framework for AI usage. Vice Premier Cheng Wen-tsan has previously stated that a framework is being developed and is set to be released in the near future to keep up with the rapid development and widespread applications of AI.
By implementing these guidelines, the public sector aims to strike a balance between utilizing the benefits of generative AI while safeguarding privacy, decision-making processes, and ensuring the responsible use of technology. These guidelines provide a much-needed framework to guide public sector workers in their use of generative AI and contribute to a more ethical and accountable approach to AI adoption in the public sector.
