聽have partnered with the New South Wales Ombudsman to map and analyse the use of automated systems in state and local government sectors in New South Wales (NSW). Sydney Law School researchers provided evidence on the use of ADM in the NSW Artificial Intelligence Inquiry.
This ground-breaking ADM+S project brought together universities and government to support the development of responsible, ethical, and inclusive automated decision-making in the public sector. The project aimed to map the use of automated systems in NSW state and local government agencies.
This research was a partnership between ADM+S and the NSW Ombudsman. It sought better visibility on when and how ADM systems are used to support or replace the work of NSW public servants. It was the first attempt to undertake a systematic mapping of ADM in any jurisdiction in Australia and one of very few attempts across the world.
Findings were presented at the first hearing of the NSW Artificial Intelligence Inquiry in NSW Parliamentin early March. The hearing examined the impact of artificial intelligence on people鈥檚 lives. It sought to ensure NSW is well positioned to navigate the opportunities, risks and challenges this technology presents.
鈥淎utomation is widespread and increasing, across both state government and local councils. Our hope is that we鈥檝e provided useful insights into where automation is at in NSW, as well as a basis for a better informed, ongoing conversation about automation and artificial intelligence in government,鈥 said Professor Kimberlee Weatherall, Sydney Law School Professor and ADM+S Chief Investigator.
鈥淭his project has been a unique and really exciting opportunity to provide some transparency around how automated decision-making systems are being used in government in NSW.鈥
Key findings from the report include:
The research was co-ordinated from the University of Sydney and involved researchers from other ADM+S partner institutions: the University of Queensland, RMIT and Monash University, as well as Macquarie University. The research reports produced by ADM+S have been published as part of a special report from the NSW Ombudsman, and a compendium, or list of ADM systems used by NSW government bodies.
鈥淲e expect this project to set an example for other State and Commonwealth jurisdictions to improve transparency and oversight of automated decision-making,鈥 said Doctor Jos茅-Miguel Bello y Villarino, Sydney Law School Senior Research Fellow.
NSW Ombudsman, Paul Miller PSM said, 鈥淰isibility is necessary for people to properly consider and exercise any decision review rights as well as for proper oversight. It is also key to supporting an informed debate about what assurance and regulatory frameworks may be appropriate for ADM use now and into the future.鈥
Evidence presented by Professor Kimberlee Weatherall and Doctor Jos茅-Miguel Bello y Villarino came from research reported in Automated Decision-Making in NSW: Mapping and analysis of the use of ADM systems by state and local governments and their expertise in the AI space.
The ARC Centre of Excellence on Automated Decision-Making and Society is a cross-disciplinary, national research centre funded by the Australian Research Council.