Guide implementation of Ontario’s Alpha Artificial Intelligence (AI) Guidance through public consultation (CAON0001)

Commitment ID

CAON0001

Commitment Title

Guide implementation of Ontario’s Alpha Artificial Intelligence (AI) Guidance through public consultation

Problem

AI technologies have ethical and legal implications, and without purposeful consideration of ethics and transparency in their design and deployment, the impacts can be unpredictable, negative, and hidden from the public. Because government AI has the potential to affect everyone in Ontario, the public should have a say in the guidance that shapes the government’s use. The use of data informed technology like algorithms and AI can perpetuate bias and amplify harms. Addressing bias needs to be addressed throughout the development and use of this type of technology. Many different perspectives and experiences need to be consulted to understand the complexities of bias. Guidance and governance can ensure intentions and outcomes are clear and acceptable to everyone involved and impacted by the use of data informed technologies.

Status quo

Data informed technologies like algorithms are increasingly used, but there is no official guidance for their use in Ontario. The public is not confident that the lack of principles and ethics to guide technology use will result in outcomes that reflect the values of Ontarians.

The Artificial Intelligence (AI) Guidance currently consists of Transparency Guidelines (released in Alpha) and Principles for Ethical Use (released in Alpha, and currently unreleased in Beta). Both were developed using a public consultation and feedback process but have no clear implementation roadmaps. Learning from Ontario’s existing Open Data program and other transformative initiatives, the introduction of new governance or policy tools will need a holistic and cohesive approach to implementation to ensure success.

Action

The Ontario government will look for opportunities to embed the Alpha Artificial Intelligence (AI) Guidance into existing governance and opportunities to enable successful adoption and implementation will be explored through public consultation.

To engage the public in the co-creation of AI governance adoption and implementation, the Beta Principles for the Ethical Use of AI will be published on GitHub and promoted. Amendments to governance tools will be carried out and announced. This will be followed by public consultations on the Alpha Transparency Guidelines, Beta Principles for Ethical Use, and any updated policy tools, using survey and focus group methods, to identify key issues and indicators for successful adoption and implementation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) Guidance in Ontario.

A co-created implementation plan (in the form of a charter or framework or other format chosen through consultation) for AI guidance will be publicly posted on Ontario.ca and updated as consultations, actions and products are scheduled and completed. Ontario.ca will be leveraged to create a coherent online space for communicating government AI guidance, use and goals, increasing AI awareness and literacy in Ontario.

How will the commitment contribute to solving the public problem described above?

Adopting AI Guidance that focuses on transparency and ethical principles will set a baseline for government AI use that operates openly and responsibly. Engaging the public to define and develop a successful adoption and implementation plan will create a shared understanding of what outcomes are desired from the adoption of ethical and transparent guidance. Ontarians will be able to shape their government’s technology use and ensure it is implemented in ways that meet their needs and expectations by co-creating implementation actions and success outcomes.

What long-term goal as identified in your Open Government Strategy does this commitment relate to?

The co-creation of an implementation plan for Artificial Intelligence (AI) Guidance will equipOntarioto succeed. Guidance with a focus on ethics and transparency will ensure that government data is shared appropriately, so Ontarians can use information to maximize benefits while minimizing the risks.

Primary Policy Area

Digital Governance

Primary Sector

Other/NA

What OGP value is this commitment relevant to?