Do significant automated decisions need ministerial agreement?

Answered

Work on the assumption that every significant automated decision should be agreed by a minister, and that every major process or service under automation consideration has a senior owner. Officials decide on behalf of the Secretary of State, who remains accountable. Align with the Ministerial Code.

From the guidance

Primary (how) Ethics, Transparency and Accountability Framework for Automated Decision-Making

Work on the assumption that every significant automated decision should be agreed by a minister and all major processes and services, subject to automation consideration, should have a senior owner.

Section: 3. Be clear who is responsible

Read this in Ethics, Transparency and Accountability Framework for Automated Decision-Making (opens in new tab)

Secondary (normative) Data and AI Ethics Framework

You must set out who is responsible at each stage of the project. This includes naming senior responsible owners (SROs)– as the primary risk owners for the project.

Section: Set clear roles and responsibilities

Read this in Data and AI Ethics Framework (opens in new tab)

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