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| Dr Tim Turner, Chairing the meeting |
Each year, as well as sponsoring awards for Canberra entrepreneurs, the ACT Government sets a challenge for the Pearcey Foundation to address, with experts in Canberra. This year it is improving government services through AI. Apparently we are going to be doing brainstorming.
Priority 1 is planning and development.
As it happens I know a little about ACT planning processes, as I chaired a local committee for redevelopment of the shopping center at Dickson. My suggestion was to train the staff to use AI, so they did not go off and use tools they should not, and put sensitive data into them. Also I suggested a tool to point citizens to other levels of government which provide relevant services. I am off to Singapore for Education and FinTech conferences in November, so did a quick search. I found the Singapore Government have had an AI for government plan since 2001, and have updated it since. So it would be worth looking at there experience (especially as Canberra is similar in some ways being a city state). One thing I put to the meeting was if AI could be used to improve social housing. As I was commenting on something another participant said, I commented "Like a smart patter book?". It turned out that wasn't what they meant, but perhaps this would be a good idea. NSW has a pattern book for cluster housing. If you use one of the designs it is pre-approved. The smart version would allow you to customise designs for different sizes and locations, but still meet planning requirements and get approved quickly. I then asked the meeting if there was an opportunity for small startup companies to provide AI products. It then dawned on me, this was why we were meeting at CBRIN. This raises the issue as to what is the role for government: do they need to build the software to do this, train the AI models, or can they just buy the service? Obviously Canberra's universities have teams of students who can build prototypes.
I did the obvious, and asked Microsoft Copilot:
"The ACT Government can leverage artificial intelligence (AI) to improve public services by drawing on best practices and emerging trends from other jurisdictions. Here's a breakdown of how AI is being used and could be applied in the ACT:
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### **1. Enhancing Service Delivery**
AI can streamline and personalize interactions between citizens and government services:
- **Customer Service**: AI-powered chatbots and virtual assistants can provide 24/7 support, answer FAQs, and guide users through complex processes like applying for permits or accessing health services[1](https://www.ncsl.org/technology-and-communication/artificial-intelligence-2025-legislation).
- **Healthcare Inspections**: AI can assist in analyzing inspection data to identify patterns and prioritize high-risk facilities for review[1](https://www.ncsl.org/technology-and-communication/artificial-intelligence-2025-legislation).
- **Road Safety**: AI can analyze traffic data to optimize road maintenance schedules and identify accident-prone areas[1](https://www.ncsl.org/technology-and-communication/artificial-intelligence-2025-legislation).
---
### **2. Responsible AI Governance**
Governments are increasingly adopting frameworks to ensure ethical and safe AI use:
- **Pilot Projects**: Many states start with pilot programs to test AI applications in public services before full-scale deployment[2](https://cdt.org/insights/state-government-use-of-ai-the-opportunities-of-executive-action-in-2025/).
- **AI Task Forces**: Creating cross-agency task forces helps coordinate AI strategy, assess risks, and ensure alignment with public values[2](https://cdt.org/insights/state-government-use-of-ai-the-opportunities-of-executive-action-in-2025/).
- **Impact Assessments**: Agencies are encouraged to conduct assessments to evaluate the societal, privacy, and equity impacts of AI systems[3](https://www.dlapiper.com/en-us/insights/publications/2025/04/white-house-releases-guidance-for-ai-acquisition-and-use-in-government).
---
### **3. Equity and Civil Rights Protections**
AI systems must be designed to avoid bias and protect vulnerable communities:
- **Bias Mitigation**: Guidelines can require agencies to evaluate AI tools for potential discriminatory outcomes, especially in high-impact areas like housing, employment, and education[2](https://cdt.org/insights/state-government-use-of-ai-the-opportunities-of-executive-action-in-2025/).
- **Transparency**: Publishing inventories of AI tools and their use cases helps build public trust and accountability[2](https://cdt.org/insights/state-government-use-of-ai-the-opportunities-of-executive-action-in-2025/).
---
### **4. Workforce and Procurement Strategy**
AI adoption should support—not replace—public sector workers:
- **Workforce Impact**: Agencies should assess how AI affects staff roles and ensure it enhances rather than displaces human work[2](https://cdt.org/insights/state-government-use-of-ai-the-opportunities-of-executive-action-in-2025/).
- **Smart Procurement**: Governments are updating procurement policies to ensure ethical sourcing of AI tools, protect data rights, and avoid vendor lock-in[3](https://www.dlapiper.com/en-us/insights/publications/2025/04/white-house-releases-guidance-for-ai-acquisition-and-use-in-government).
---
### **5. Legislative and Regulatory Frameworks**
The ACT can learn from other states that have enacted AI-specific laws:
- **Transparency Laws**: Requiring agencies to disclose their use of automated decision-making tools publicly[1](https://www.ncsl.org/technology-and-communication/artificial-intelligence-2025-legislation).
- **Worker Protections**: Ensuring AI does not undermine existing labor rights or collective bargaining agreements[1](https://www.ncsl.org/technology-and-communication/artificial-intelligence-2025-legislation).
Here’s a tailored proposal for how the ACT Government could implement AI to improve services across health, transport, and education:
1. Health
AI Applications
Predictive Analytics for Hospital Demand: Use AI to forecast patient admissions and optimize resource allocation.
Virtual Health Assistants: Provide 24/7 support for mental health and chronic disease management via chatbots.
Medical Imaging Analysis: Deploy AI to assist radiologists in detecting anomalies in scans faster and more accurately.
Implementation Steps
Partner with Canberra Health Services to pilot AI triage tools in emergency departments.
Collaborate with universities for ethical AI research in diagnostics.
Ensure compliance with privacy laws and conduct regular audits for bias.
2. Transport
AI Applications
Smart Traffic Management: Use AI to analyze traffic flow and adjust signals dynamically to reduce congestion.
Predictive Maintenance: Monitor infrastructure (roads, bridges, buses) to predict failures and schedule maintenance.
Public Transport Optimization: Analyze commuter patterns to adjust bus routes and schedules.
Implementation Steps
Integrate AI with existing Transport Canberra systems for real-time traffic updates.
Launch a pilot with AI-powered predictive maintenance for ACTION buses.
Use anonymized MyWay card data to train models for route optimization.
3. Education
AI Applications
Personalized Learning: AI tutors can adapt content to individual student needs and learning styles.
Administrative Automation: Streamline tasks like enrollment, grading, and feedback.
Early Intervention: Identify students at risk of disengagement or poor performance using predictive models.
Implementation Steps
Partner with ACT public schools to trial AI learning platforms in STEM subjects.
Train educators on ethical AI use and data literacy.
Establish a student data governance framework to protect privacy.
Cross-Cutting Recommendations
Create an ACT AI Taskforce: Include representatives from government, academia, industry, and civil society.
Develop an AI Ethics Framework: Ensure transparency, accountability, and fairness in all deployments.
Public Engagement: Host forums and consultations to build trust and gather feedback."
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