The ongoing consultation aims to fill gaps in government knowledge by seeking views from local authorities and others on the current use of new technologies, the barriers they face and the ethical considerations.
Governments are seeking to better understand how artificial intelligence and other digital technologies are used in the provision of social care services for children.
In a newly launched consultation exercise, the Department for Education has indicated that it wants to gather more information on areas where there is currently a lack of knowledge.
“We are conducting a call for evidence with the aim of gaining a deeper understanding of the use of AI and digital technologies in the provision of children’s social care by local authorities,” the DfE said in an accompanying consultation paper. “Currently, there is limited information about how AI and digital technologies are being used in practice. We want to know where and how these tools are being used, what impact they are having, and the barriers local governments face in adopting new technologies, so that we can understand how central government can better support this effort.”
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The document adds that the government defines AI as a technological system that “infers how to generate an output, such as a prediction, content, recommendation, or decision, from the input it receives.” Digital technology, on the other hand, is used to refer to “technology available to social workers beyond core case management systems.” [which] You can also include a storyteller app. [and] A tool to incorporate the voices of children and families.”
The government is inviting council representatives, as well as other “frontline child social care service providers”, to take part in the feedback gathering exercise.
Participants will be asked to answer a variety of questions regarding whether government agencies and other care providers currently use commercially available tools or tools developed in-house.
The consultation also addressed issues such as ‘How local authorities are approaching the management of risks and ethics associated with the introduction of AI tools’ and ‘Challenges and barriers’. [faced] Learn about the adoption of AI to support frontline practices and how we overcame these barriers. ”
The survey concludes with a question about the extent to which organizations currently use “single-view” systems that “collect data about individuals from numerous sources/services.”
Those wishing to participate in the exercise must do so by May 1st.
