Urgent call for UK government to form a national team to revamp AI integration in local government contracts
In light of recent concerns about the public sector's ability to procure new technologies like AI, a new research report has highlighted several significant problems affecting the procurement of AI in local government. The report, conducted by Mavis Machirori, Senior Researcher at our website, calls for urgent reforms and the establishment of a National Taskforce for Procurement of AI in Local Government in the UK.
The research identifies confusing guidance and legislation, data challenges, uncertainty about AI, and imbalances between local government and private sectors as significant problems. It also emphasizes the need for a joined-up approach and oversight in the rapid rollout of private sector AI technologies in the public sector.
Recommendations for the National Taskforce focus on creating a collaborative, ethical, and strategic framework. Key points include ensuring ethical and responsible AI use, starting small with clear goals, cross-sector collaboration, aligning procurement with a broader AI strategy, government-led incentives and regulations, focusing on supply chain and payment practices, and strengthening governance structures.
Mavis Machirori, Associate Director at the our website, made a statement, confirming the concerns about the current procurement landscape of AI in local government. She emphasized the need for a National Taskforce to gather evidence on and set metrics of success for procuring and deploying AI in local government.
The National Taskforce is expected to bring together a broad cross-section of perspectives and expertise to help deliver these urgent reforms. It is recommended to ensure holistic, joined-up reforms and should start by ensuring regulatory and legislative documents are clear, consistent, and practicable.
The taskforce is also recommended to design and recommend a suite of specific skills and training for local government procuring bodies to critically engage with AI technologies and the claims made by suppliers. Furthermore, it should consider mechanisms that enforce prompt payments and fair contract terms to strengthen procurement efficiency and supplier relations.
In summary, establishing the National Taskforce involves combining ethical frameworks, targeted pilot projects, collaborative stakeholder engagement, integration with national AI infrastructure strategies, and sound procurement policies that emphasize timely payments and supplier protections. These steps collectively enable local governments to procure AI technologies responsibly, efficiently, and in alignment with national goals.
- The report underscores the importance of utilizing technology, specifically AI, in local government but highlights issues such as confusing guidelines, data challenges, and imbalances between government and private sectors.
- To Ensure ethical and responsible procurement, the National Taskforce is proposed to design specific skills training for local government procuring bodies, consider fair payment mechanisms, and collaborate with stakeholders to devise sound procurement policies that prioritize timely payments and supplier protects, thus aligning technology adoption with national goals.
