The government has launched a new AI framework, with Manchester Metropolitan University one of just a few universities invited to contribute. 

The playbook, Artificial Intelligence Playbook for the UK Government, created by the Government Digital Service, invited select academics to contribute, including Manchester Metropolitan’s Professor Keeley Crockett. 

Following a government announcement in January about plans to make the UK a world leader in the AI sector, the playbook provides a practical guide to the use of AI for public sector workers. 

With 10 guiding areas for AI use, the framework covers what AI is, different kinds of AI, building AI solutions and using AI safely and responsibly. 

Keeley Crockett, Professor in Computational Intelligence at Manchester Metropolitan University, said she was delighted to contribute to the Playbook. 

She said: “The pace of progress in the field of AI has been well documented over the past few years, and it’s important to outline the potential, limitations and risks of AI to a wide range of people who will work with  AI products and services  or be impacted by  AI usage in everyday life. 

“Part of the impact I would like this Playbook to have, is to help people become more confident in being able to ask questions about the use of AI, as well as to signpost ways to access to skills and training in AI for public sector workers. 

“It’s also important to highlight the ethical considerations which are fundamental to the successful and responsible use of AI, which forms a key part of the learning of our students here at Manchester Metropolitan. The social-technical skills which go hand-in-hand with technical skills and expertise are vital for those working with or developing AI.” 

The framework was announced at the AI Summit in Paris on February 10, after being developed in collaboration with more than 20 government departments, experts from 4 leading tech firms and 5 universities, including Manchester Metropolitan. 

Peter Kyle, Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, said:

“The publication of our AI Playbook today comes with a call to arms for tech specialists across the public sector – use the guidance we are sharing to put AI to work in your organisations at whiplash speed, so we can repair our broken public services together.”