AI Implementation as a Pillar of Modern Governance: How Governments Can Lead by Example

Artificial intelligence is transforming governance and public services worldwide, offering unprecedented opportunities to improve efficiency, decision-making, and service delivery.

As AI becomes central to modern governance, governments face a pivotal moment in defining how this technology will shape the future.

Poland’s establishment of an AI Agency, tasked with overseeing the EU’s AI Act while fostering innovation, marks a crucial step in setting regulatory foundations for responsible AI use.

However, policy and regulation alone are not enough. To fully realize AI’s potential, governments must lead by example, demonstrating how AI can be implemented ethically, transparently, and in a way that garners public trust. Balancing innovation with ethical responsibilities is essential, and governments are uniquely positioned to set the standard for trustworthy AI adoption, both in their own operations and across society.

The Role of Policy and Regulation in AI

Let us be very clear – AI Act is a pioneering EU regulation. It is not only smartly designed to ensure AI is developed and used safely, ethically, and transparently. It also critically tries to strike a balance between fostering innovation and protecting fundamental rights, making it a strong framework for responsible AI use in Europe. Its clear guidelines promote trust, accountability, and fairness in AI deployment, setting a global standard for ethical AI.

However, regulation alone has its limitations; it serves as a foundation but is insufficient to fully unlock AI’s potential. The AI Act tells us what needs to be done, but we still need to make it happen. Therefore, action through implementation is critical.

An example of this approach in the digital sphere is Poland’s digital wallet, mObywatel, which exemplifies how governments can embrace digital transformation and provide services that enhance citizen engagement.

The application is a one-stop-shop for digital administration, which soon will be powered by an AI chatbot, helping people to move through all available services. Moving forward in the AI driven world, can only be done by combining strong policies with tangible applications.

Governments can and must demonstrate the benefits of AI, ultimately leading to more efficient, responsive, and trustworthy public services.

Governments as Role Models in AI Implementation

It needs to be said that governments have a unique responsibility to lead by example in the ethical use of AI, as public institutions are entrusted with safeguarding citizens’ rights and welfare. Public trust in government hinges on the responsible implementation of digital technologies, AI included. We know that trust is hard to build, but very easy to breach. Citizen always needs to be put first.

But here comes the solution for widespread AI implementation – by demonstrating ethical AI practices, governments not only reassure citizens but also set a standard for the private sector and the global community, showcasing how AI can be harnessed to benefit society while minimizing associated risks. If those solutions will be built on strong foundations, accessible to the public, and more even – open source – This can provide guidance and legal certainty to private entities, still trying to figure out how AI Act should fit into their business applications. We have already started this journey to make AI Act understandable and accessible by starting a series of webinars on how AI Act can effect citizens and businesses.

We know that those changes don’t happen overnight. For instance, Poland’s initiative to develop its own large language model, PLLuM (Polish Large Language Model), has started in January, and we are committed to publish this model in the beginning of next year. This model – Built with ethically sourced data and designed to reflect local and cultural contexts – aims to ensure that AI applications serve the specific needs of Polish citizens. We are sure that publishing this model and its data sources, will be a beginning of a new family of fine-tuned models, that can be built for specialized applications like finance or healthcare. Government provides strong foundation – business can do the rest.

This model will also be the basis for an AI assistant for government agencies and institutions. We believe that once built – this ethical technology will start the era of a new social servant. From now on powered with AI.

Additionally, preparing for this, Poland has already established recommendations for the use of generative AI in public administration, ensuring that its deployment aligns with ethical guidelines and public interest. Alongside these recommendations, training programs have been implemented to educate civil servants about AI technology, its capabilities, and ethical considerations. By connecting understanding with ethical use, governments can foster a culture of responsible AI adoption.

This holistic approach to AI implementation not only equips public servants with the tools and knowledge necessary to navigate this new landscape but also sets a precedent for ethical AI practices in the public sector.

By leading the way, governments can demonstrate that AI can enhance governance and public services while maintaining accountability, transparency and compliance with existing regulations.

The Path Forward: Building a Trustworthy AI Ecosystem

But implementation and leading by example is only a good start. To build a trustworthy AI ecosystem, ongoing collaboration among government, academia, and the private sector is essential. Poland exemplifies this commitment through the establishment of a working group on AI adjacent to the Ministry of Digital Affairs, which includes experts from academia and business. This group focuses on blending best practices and creating a platform for knowledge exchange, ensuring that diverse perspectives inform AI development and implementation. And as I hope I’ve already shown – this collaboration makes us perfectly suited to create engagement and public trust with AI.

One thing is certain – AI is here to stay. As I said – governments have now an amazing opportunity of supporting artificial intelligence transformation, and showing how to make it ethically and upholding the highest standards.

Now is the time to embrace innovation while upholding ethical standards and prioritizing citizen interests. Now, we – governments – can lead the way in creating a future where AI serves the public good.