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This report addresses the following objectives of the AI Watch project: "To provide an overview and analysis of the use and impact of AI in public services."

As part of this objective, this report presents a summary of the proceedings of the 3rd AI WATCH Peer Learning Workshop on AI use and impact in public services, which took place virtually on the 24th June 2021 and the attendance of 80 participants of 20 Member States, experts from academia, research centres, non-governmental organisations and industry.

The report states that with the "3rd Peer Learning Workshop on the use and impact of AI in public services", the Commission continued to facilitate Member States peer-learning and information-gathering on guidelines, best practices and the analysis of the-use potential of AI-based systems and solutions.

The workshop was organized in different sessions, where the EU Member States and other stakeholders presented:

• the preliminary results from the analysis of the National Strategies on AI in the Public Sector
• kicked-off the co-creation work on a collaborative effort to sketch the "Road to better use of AI by and for the Public Sector",
•  collect and publish AI cases in the Public Sector,
• and validate an impact assessment methodology.

During the workshop, the upcoming Adopt AI programme was presented to reinforce the uptake of AI in the public sector. It aims to transform public procurement of AI systems to maximise the benefits and synergies of trustworthy AI. 

The report describes the numerous areas where AI could benefit governments, such as policy making, internal management and improving public service delivery. During the workshop, it was also discussed that public administrations should expand their interest not only on existing ethical and legal standards but also on improving availability, awareness, and application of guidelines to avoid common risks and mistakes in the design and application of AI systems.

Member states shared their own experiences in applying AI in public services. Spain shared their current use of AI in the national employment service as an example; Poland described the use of AI in the digitalisation process of public administrations and Noway, presented the Norwegian AI strategy that focuses on data quality, funding and specialist recruitment.

• The preliminary analysis of a survey launched by AI-watch was presented with 58 contributions, mainly from Finland, Germany, and the Netherlands. The cases have been published on the JRC Data Catalogue, making them available and reusable.

• The closing remarks of the workshop noted that AI could be used as a force for good, but risks should also be addressed. The role of the public sector should not only rely as a regulator but rather as an active adopter.

Download the report here

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How to cite this report: van Noordt, C., Alishani, A., Tangi, L., Gattwinkel, D. and Pignatelli, F., AI Watch. Artificial Intelligence for the public sector. Report of the “3rd Peer Learning Workshop on the use and impact of AI in public services”, 24 June 2021, Publications Office of the European Union, Luxembourg, 2021, ISBN 978-92-76-41530-5, doi:10.2760/162795, JRC126501.