Generative AI in Policy Work Balancing Innovation, Oversight, and Accountability
Generative AI offers promise for policy development but also poses risks like bias and opacity. Effective use requires clear strategy, human oversight, and strong governance.
The Future of Generative AI in Policy Work
Generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) is increasingly being explored by government agencies to support their objectives. Yet, opinions among senior public servants vary. Some see GenAI as a tool with potential to transform policy development, while others remain cautious due to risks and past experiences with technology implementation.
Lessons from previous policy challenges—such as those highlighted by the Royal Commission into the Robodebt Scheme—continue to influence how GenAI is perceived and adopted within government.
Balancing Opportunity and Risk
GenAI tools present both opportunities and challenges. Their outputs can sometimes be biased or inaccurate, which risks undermining policy quality. Additionally, publicly available GenAI systems often operate as “black boxes,” making it difficult for governments to ensure transparency and accountability.
Since these tools can inadvertently reinforce existing biases present in data, there is widespread agreement that human oversight is essential when using GenAI in policy work.
Defining GenAI’s Role in Policy
Establishing a clear purpose for GenAI within policy work is critical. Governments need a formal statement outlining why they are investing in these tools and how they expect them to contribute to quality policy outcomes.
Developing a GenAI strategy will help identify key value measures that can be monitored and assessed over time, ensuring a practical framework for adoption.
Building AI Literacy and Skills
Enhancing AI literacy among senior executives and the broader workforce is necessary to align AI use with public service values. Maintaining expertise in core policy skills—including human analysis and reasoning—is vital, even as AI tools change how tasks are completed.
The introduction of GenAI is expected to shift individual and team workflows. Career development pathways should be adjusted to consider how AI can augment policy work rather than replace essential human judgment.
Ensuring Proper Governance and Oversight
Adoption of GenAI must comply with existing regulatory and governance frameworks across government agencies. Current GenAI tools generate responses based on historical data patterns, but some complex policy problems require innovative solutions that go beyond past precedents.
Strong governance arrangements will help manage risks and ensure that AI use supports transparency and accountability in policy development.
Looking Ahead
Further research is needed to determine whether GenAI can enhance policy craft or if it risks becoming an opaque system that works against government transparency.
The effectiveness of GenAI in policy will depend on the strength of the strategy and how well implementation plans are executed. Well-managed adoption can help ensure policy work continues to evolve in ways that meet the needs of citizens.
For those in government roles interested in deepening their understanding of AI tools and their practical applications, exploring targeted training can be valuable. Resources like Complete AI Training’s latest AI courses offer opportunities to build relevant skills.
