If we contract out AI processing, who owns equality compliance?

Answered

The public authority still does. Responsibility for thoroughly assessing and monitoring equality impact stays with the council even when a public function — including AI processing of data — is contracted to a third party.

From the guidance

Primary (how) Responsibly buying AI: a guide for councils in England

The responsibility for ensuring that the equality impact of policies is thoroughly assessed and monitored lies with public authorities. This is the case even when they contract out a public function such as processing data using AI-based technologies to a third-party organisation.

Section: What does the PSED require?

Read this in Responsibly buying AI: a guide for councils in England (opens in new tab)

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