Digitising Government Minister Judith Collins released guidelines which set clear expectations for how agencies should adopt AI while harnessing its potential to improve productivity and service delivery.
“Use of AI technologies to improve public services is a priority for me, and this guidance will enable its safe and responsible uptake. AI presents a major opportunity to lift productivity and improve public service delivery, but the government must ensure it is done right,” said Collins.
“This guidance is part of a suite of tools for agencies to adopt AI in ways that are safe, transparent and deliver real value for New Zealanders while upholding the highest standards of trust and accountability.”
She said that harnessing AI effectively can significantly improve customer experience and boost efficiency. It can help reduce wait times, triage issues faster, and allow public servants to focus on frontline services, which meant delivering better outcomes for New Zealanders while reducing costs to the government.
The Government Chief Digital Officer (GCDO) has led the work programme to support the safe and trusted uptake of AI technology in public service.
It recently released the Public Service AI Framework, which sat above the Responsible AI Guidance for the Public Service and set out a structured approach to safely deploy AI all forms of AI used in New Zealand public service.
The GCDO has been working with the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment to develop similar guidance for the business community.
Agencies have joined to support responsible AI adoption across government and industry, driving innovation and economic growth.
“AI systems are evolving rapidly, and government policies, guidance, and use cases will continue to adapt alongside these advancements and public expectations.”
Updated guidance to support the New Zealand Public Service to explore GenAI systems in ways that are safe, transparent and responsible here
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