Fault Lines: Navigating Ethics and Responsible AI Where National Policy Meets Local Practice in Public Sector Transformation
A new paper explores the challenges of implementing responsible AI within the UK public sector, highlighting a disconnect between national policy and local practice. The research, based on interviews with policymakers and practitioners, identifies five key issues: shadow AI usage and data privacy risks, market-government asymmetry in AI provision, insufficient workforce readiness, a lack of standardized definitions, and gaps in human accountability. The paper argues for both national policy adjustments and structural reforms at the local level to ensure responsible AI deployment, particularly in high-stakes areas like Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). AI
IMPACT Highlights critical gaps in AI policy implementation within public sectors, suggesting a need for better alignment between national strategies and local practices.