At a time where technology permeates nearly every aspect of our lives, building systems that foster trust is essential, particularly for councils that serve the public interest. Trustworthy systems can bridge the gap between technological capabilities and public confidence, ensuring that both elected members and the community feel secure in the technology and its results.
Here’s how councils can develop such systems.
Understanding Trustworthy Systems
Trust in technology mirrors the trust we place in human leaders. According to recent research, trustworthy leaders exhibit three main characteristics: positive relationships, good judgment and expertise, and consistency. Councils can translate these traits into their technology systems to build a robust foundation of trust.
Positive Relationships
For technology systems to be trusted, they must foster positive relationships through transparency. Councils should ensure that their systems provide clear, understandable explanations for their decisions. This is particularly crucial for AI-driven decisions which can often appear as “black boxes.”
For instance, implementing explainable AI can demystify how certain decisions are made. Imagine a scenario where an AI system rejects a grant application. If the system can explain that increasing community engagement activities could have led to a positive outcome, it helps the applicant understand and trust the decision process.
Fairness in Technology
Fairness is a cornerstone of trust. Councils must rigorously assess and ensure the fairness of their technology systems. This involves monitoring systems for biases and ensuring equitable treatment for all community members.
Using tools for algorithmic fairness, councils can evaluate and mitigate biases in their systems. Regular reassessments are essential as societal contexts and data inputs evolve over time, ensuring sustained fairness and trustworthiness.
Good Judgment and Expertise: Evaluating Uncertainty
Trustworthy systems require good judgment, much like their human counterparts. Councils must understand and communicate the uncertainties inherent in their technology systems. This involves designing systems that are not only robust but also capable of explaining the confidence levels of their outputs.
For example, in public safety applications, a system should not only identify potential risks but also convey the certainty of these assessments, allowing for informed decision-making by council members.
Consistency: Robustness, Security, and Privacy
Consistency in performance is vital for building trust. Technology systems should perform reliably, even under duress. This means councils need to prioritise robustness and security to defend against external threats and internal failures.
Implementing security measures like differential privacy and synthetic data can help protect sensitive information while still leveraging data for insights. Councils should adopt rigorous testing frameworks to ensure their systems are resilient against attacks and perform as expected.
Embedding Council Values
Trustworthy systems should reflect the values of the councils that implement them. This can be achieved by embedding ethical principles directly into the technology. For instance, ensuring that decision-making algorithms align with the council’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.
Councils should also set quantitative goals that reflect these values and be accountable for meeting them. Transparency in these commitments further strengthens public trust.
Continuous Improvement and Adaptation
Building a trustworthy system is not a one-time effort but an ongoing process. Councils must continuously improve their technology, adapting to new challenges and incorporating lessons learned. This involves staying updated with the latest advancements and maintaining a culture of transparency and accountability.
For councils, building trustworthy technology systems is crucial for fostering public confidence and ensuring effective governance. By focusing on transparency, fairness, good judgment, consistency, and embedding council values, elected members can develop systems that not only serve their constituents effectively but also inspire trust and confidence.
As technology continues to evolve, so too must the strategies for maintaining trust. With a committed and proactive approach, councils can lead the way in creating systems that are both innovative and trustworthy, benefiting the entire community.
