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Artificial Intelligence: Public Sector

Asked by Martin WrigleyLiberal DemocratDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled Answered 25 June 2025UIN 60622

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if he will publish guidance on the safe use of non-deterministic AI in public sector decision-making systems.

Answered by Feryal Clark

The AI playbook clearly describes the non-deterministic nature of probabilistic, AI-based predictive analysis and automated decision-making, while prescribing ten key principles for the safe and responsible use of AI. For example, it highlights the non-deterministic and probabilistic nature of AI models—specifically large language models (LLMs)—which can yield inaccurate or hallucinated outputs. Accordingly, it stresses legal and ethical duties, requiring departments to register AI-powered algorithms via the Algorithmic Transparency Recording Standard. It also recommends and emphasises meaningful human oversight, including monitoring, assurance, and user feedback mechanisms, with a risk-aware approach from inception through the entire life cycle of the services.

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