Open Government Procurement refers to the principle that governments should be transparent and accountable in their procurement of artificial intelligence (AI) systems. This principle emphasizes the need for public disclosure of the purpose, goals, parameters, and other key aspects of AI systems being acquired by government bodies. The intent is to ensure that the public understands how AI will be used by the government, and to allow for public input, particularly from groups that may be affected by the deployment of these systems.
Key Aspects:
- Transparency in Procurement: Governments are expected to openly share information about the AI systems they intend to acquire, including the system’s purpose, goals, and parameters.
- Public Participation: The procurement process should include a period for public comment, allowing citizens and affected groups to provide input on the proposed use of AI.
- Accountability to Human Rights: Open government procurement aligns with the human rights framework, acknowledging that governments have a special duty to protect against human rights abuses when contracting with private businesses for AI systems.
Ethical Considerations:
- Public Understanding and Trust: By making the procurement process transparent, governments can build trust with the public and ensure that the use of AI aligns with societal values and human rights principles.
- Human Rights Obligations: Governments have an obligation, under Principle 5 of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, to protect against human rights abuses, especially when working with private companies to acquire and implement AI systems.
Challenges:
- Limited Adoption: Although the principle of open government procurement is critical for transparency and accountability, it has been sparsely adopted, with only a few documents, such as the Access Now report, specifically recommending this approach within a human rights framework.
Future Directions:
As AI becomes more integrated into government operations, there is increasing recognition of the need for open and transparent procurement processes. Future efforts will likely focus on standardizing open procurement practices across jurisdictions and ensuring that public input is a central part of AI procurement by governments.
Reference:
Fjeld, Jessica, Nele Achten, Hannah Hilligoss, Adam Nagy, and Madhulika Srikumar. “Principled Artificial Intelligence: Mapping Consensus in Ethical and Rights-Based Approaches to Principles for AI.” Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society at Harvard University, Research Publication No. 2020-1, January 15, 2020.
