NAP5 16th June 2021

NAP 5 – Data Ethics (Algorithmic Transparency) – Wk 2 – Read out

by Guest

As part of the co-creation process of the UK’s fifth National Action Plan for Open Government (NAP5), thematic areas agreed to during the Multistakeholder Forum in March 2021 have been turned into biweekly Working Groups.

These Working Groups bring together government policy leads and civil society, and are charged with developing commitments for inclusion in NAP5.

The second NAP5 Algorithmic Transparency Working Group was held on June 3rd, 2021 at 10:00 BST, following the inaugural meeting on May 20th. The meeting was co-chaired by civil society and government.

The following subject areas were raised as potential commitment ideas, building on discussions from the first working group:

  • Professionals registered when working with algorithms to maintain public trust
  • Creating the space for the public to challenge use of algorithms
  • Definition of an ‘algorithm’ and the legal need for transparency – covering both assisted and automated decision making
  • How do we document ethical choices in meaningful/accessible ways
  • How to design smart metrics and publish performance dashboards for algorithmic-assisted decisions to allow scrutiny of outcomes
  • Plans to engage Devolved Administrations and/or local authorities in the work
  • Referencing overlapping work with the open contracting group (specifically AI procurement & open source requirements)
  • Development of a transferable standard for algorithmic transparency
  • Fostering better public understanding of Data Privacy Impact Assessments
  • Mandatory publication of Data Privacy Impact Assessments (DPIAs) and Diversity
  • Impact Assessments (DIAs) as part of decision making and public service delivery
  • Greater involvement of intermediary bodies working on citizens’ behalf for accountability
  • Applying standards to dynamic purchasing systems
  • Support for local government to perform algorithmic transparency
  • Local government procurement decisions and risk assessments to be published
  • Monitoring and potentially integrating emerging EU approaches around biometrics
  • Model cards as a transparency tool

Next steps:

The third meeting of the NAP 5 Algorithmic Transparency Working Group will be held on Thursday, June 17th 2021 at 10:00 BST

For additional details or to get involved, please contact: