Automated decision-making in NSW: Mapping and analysis of the use of ADM systems by state and local governments - Executive report

The limited visibility of ADM systems used by the NSW state government and local governments: 1. hinders the public’s understanding, and their ability to hold governments accountable for use of ADM systems 2. is a barrier to oversight by independent integrity agencies like the NSW Ombudsman’s Office, and 3. limits knowledge-sharing and capacity-building across government, which could constrain the development of best practice, and discourage beneficial uses of new technologies. To address this knowledge gap, the NSW Ombudsman initiated this mapping andanalysis of ADM use across NSW state government departments and agencies, and local councils. While the NSW Ombudsman’s Office funded and supported this research, all responsibility for the data and analysis lies with the ADM+S team. Views expressed in this Executive Report, and the Research Report are those of the researchers and do not necessarily represent the views of the NSW Ombudsman. We found that NSW government use of ADM is widespread, and increasing, both at the state government level, and across local councils. This includes the use (and proposed use) of AI across a wide range of contexts, including across every NSW state government portfolio. We found ADM systems in use across government services, from low to high stakes contexts. We also found that a mapping of this kind is challenging for a whole range of reasons. Therefore we also provide insights, learned through the process of conducting this mapping, about how to identify, and record ADM system use in government, which we believe will be useful both for researchers and for governments seeking to be transparent and accountable for their use of technology.