Embracing Risk and Embracing AI in the Public Sector
Auditor General Calls for Higher Tolerance for Failure in Pursuit of Innovation
The UK’s public sector should adopt a higher tolerance for failure and embrace risk-taking in order to harness the benefits of artificial intelligence, according to the auditor general, Gareth Davies. In an upcoming address to parliament, Davies will urge mandarins to adopt a "fast-learning" culture and a portfolio approach to investing in research and development.
Risks to be Managed, Not Avoided
Davies will stress that AI presents "risks to be managed, not avoided" and will encourage civil servants to learn from the tech sector. He will also emphasize the importance of having a risk appetite, recognizing that not every new idea will bear fruit. "A feature of successful innovators is their ability to learn quickly what works and what doesn’t, so that failed experiments can be stopped promptly and the resources redirected to more promising ideas," he will say.
New Strategy for the National Audit Office
As part of a refreshed strategy for the coming five years, the NAO will proactively praise positive examples of innovation, including instances where failing initiatives have been dropped in favor of more auspicious ones. The watchdog will also make greater allowances for trials of new technology by officials that misfire.
Prioritizing Productivity and Resilience
Davies will also warn that the state must prioritize driving productivity gains across all public services, highlighting that productivity growth across the whole economy has been lower since 2008 than in the decades beforehand. He will also emphasize the need to tackle the causes of avoidable demand, invest in people and skills, and be better prepared nationally and locally for shocks such as pandemics, extreme weather, and cyber attacks.
Conclusion
The auditor general’s call for a higher tolerance for failure and a more innovative approach to AI adoption is a significant step towards harnessing the benefits of emerging technologies for Britain’s public services. By embracing risk-taking and adopting a "fast-learning" culture, the public sector can learn from the tech sector and drive productivity gains across all public services.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the National Audit Office’s role in the UK public sector?
A: The National Audit Office is the independent Whitehall spending watchdog responsible for highlighting waste, delays, and overspend by the government.
Q: What is the auditor general’s call for the public sector?
A: The auditor general is calling for a higher tolerance for failure and a more innovative approach to AI adoption, urging mandarins to adopt a "fast-learning" culture and a portfolio approach to investing in research and development.
Q: What are the potential benefits of embracing AI in the public sector?
A: The potential benefits include speedier routine tasks, building on the work of skilled experts, and improving productivity gains across all public services.
Q: What are the risks associated with AI adoption in the public sector?
A: The risks include the need to manage and mitigate risks, and the potential for wasted expenditure when the state is blindsided by "increasingly likely events".
