MS, Minister for Culture,
Skills and Social Partnership: On behalf of the Workforce
Partnership Council, I am today publishing Managing Technology that Manages
People – a social partnership approachand Using AI at Work – Benchmarking
Report on the Awareness and Understanding of AI in the Welsh
Public Sector.
This guidance has been co-produced using the ‘Welsh Way' of
social partnership working between Welsh Government, public
sector employers, and trade unions. The publications offer
guidance for the public sector on the responsible use of
artificial intelligence (AI) technologies as management tools, as
well providing some insight into the current use and
understanding of AI amongst public sector workers.
Welsh Government and our social partners recognise that the use
of AI and other emerging technologies are part of the future of
our workplaces. It is important that public services and public
service workers benefit from new technological innovations, but
we must also be aware of and seek to mitigate associated risks.
Our approach has considered the whole process for the adoption
and use of AI in public service workplaces. The guidance outlines
three critical elements:
- the checks and balances required for the purchase or
development of new algorithmic management systems
- guidance for the responsible implementation of AI as a
workforce management tool
- ongoing post-adoption evaluation
The ‘Welsh Way' of social partnership is embedded in each of
these key elements and has been instrumental in developing this
guidance at pace. The guidance builds in the principles of Fair
Work and human oversight as key to building workforce capability,
whilst protecting and creating jobs.
The reports are fully supported and have buy in from across our
social partners, including the Social Partnership Council which
gave their endorsement at their recent meeting in December.
The Centre for Digital Public Services (CDPS) is also developing
wider advice and guidance to support the responsible and ethical
use of AI technologies by public sector bodies in Wales.
With our social partners, we are now moving into the next phase
of this important work and are developing a programme of related
communications activities. It is important these materials
receive the profile they deserve and are fully embedded in public
sector workplaces across Wales, for the benefit of public service
delivery and public service workers alike.
This statement is being issued during recess to keep Members
informed. Should Members wish me to make a further statement or
to answer questions on this when the Senedd returns I would be
happy to do so.
