Wales' Workforce Partnership Council have today shared new
guidance on the ethical and responsible use of artificial
intelligence (AI) across public sector workplaces.
Laid out in two reports - ‘Managing Technology that
Manages People – A Social Partnership Approach' and
‘Using AI at Work – Benchmarking
Report on the Awareness and Understanding of AI in the Welsh
Public Sector' - that have been produced through Wales'
unique social partnership model, meaning they were created
completely collaboratively by Welsh Government, public sector
employers and trade unions.
This new guidance reinforces the shared commitment across Wales'
public sector to harness the benefits of emerging technologies,
whilst safeguarding against potential risks, particularly to the
workforce.
The reports outline a holistic framework for AI implementation,
focusing on three critical areas: checks and balances,
responsible implementation, and post-adoption evaluation.
Minister for Social Partnership, , said:
“As AI continues to shape the future of our workplaces, it is
crucial that public service workers and organisations alike
benefit from this continued innovation. Our approach ensures that
AI adoption in public services is transparent and underpinned by
human oversight.
“The three key principles reflect our ‘Welsh way' of social
partnership - collaborative decision-making that prioritises
fairness, job security and workforce development.
“With these resources, we are reaffirming Wales' position as a
leader in ethical AI adoption, setting a benchmark for
responsible technology management across the public sector.”
The guidance has received strong support from the Social
Partnership Council and other key stakeholders, reflecting
widespread consensus on its importance.
The Centre for Digital Public Services (CDPS) is also working on
complementary resources to further aid public sector bodies in
the ethical use of AI.
Shavanah Taj, General Secretary, TUC Cymru said:
“To get the best from AI systems which manage workers, workers
must have a strong voice in their design and use.
“TUC Cymru and the public sector unions welcome the publication
of ‘Managing Technology That Manages People' because it will
ensure that workers share the benefits that AI could bring.
“Unions were pleased to work closely with employers and the Welsh
government to reach agreement on this guidance. It demonstrates
the benefits of working in social partnership.”
The Welsh Government and social partners will next put in action
a comprehensive communications programme to ensure these
materials, approaches and recommendations are effectively
embedded in workplaces across Wales.
Notes to editors
For more information or to access the reports, please visit:
