Report: 2nd Peer Learning Workshop on the use and impact of AI in public services

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Background and scope

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 2nd AI WATCH Peer Learning Workshop on AI use and impact in public services, which took place virtually on the 29th of September 2020.

The 2nd AI WATCH Peer Learning Workshop on ‘AI in a pandemic society’ organised by the JRC jointly with DG CNECT was conceived with a threefold objective:

1. To discuss the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on the development and uptake of AI in public services, and how AI used in government may contribute to tackling the impact of the pandemic;
2. To present the findings from the report “AI Watch Artificial Intelligence in public services” on the use and impact of AI in public services across the EU, which includes the landscaping findings, case studies and an analysis of the AI strategies;
3. Continuing the Peer Learning activities, where Member States could share their insights about the use of AI within public services and their results.

Following up on the 1st AI Watch Peer Learning Workshop on the use of AI in public services, the second workshop had to main goal to expand the previous knowledge sharing activities among the participants and to gain new knowledge on the endeavours undertaken by Member States with regards to the use of AI in the public sector. During the workshop the main findings of a recent JRC Science for Policy Report, published in August 2020, were presented, drawing an interesting perspective, though not exempt from caveats in terms of ethical concerns, for the future of AI adoption and use in the European public sector.

Continuing, a session of presentations was held where Member States presented some of their insights on AI in their governments and ongoing policy initiatives to stimulate and boost its uptake. A short discussion session was done after to help gather the immediate feedback of high-level representatives of EU Member States and other stakeholders engaged in AI governance and implementation in government.

This second Peer-learning Workshop concluded with a final address from European Commission representatives from DGs CNECT and JRC on the conclusion and next steps of the AI use and impact in public sector activity.