This week the New Zealand Government published its Algorithm Charter for Aotearoa New Zealand to guide the use of algorithms by its agencies.

The Algorithm charter for Aotearoa New Zealand demonstrates a commitment to ensuring New Zealanders have confidence in how government agencies use algorithms. The charter is one of many ways that government demonstrates transparency and accountability in the use of data.

The Charter emphasises that more complex algorithms can be used to support human decision-making, helping the Government to better understand New Zealand and New Zealanders.  It recognises that a principled approach is needed to realise this potential and mitigate the risk of unintended consequences, and as such, government agencies that sign onto the Charter commit to following its principles when using algorithms to help serve the people of New Zealand.

This Charter sets a strong foundation for guiding NZ GOVT agencies on how to implement algorithms in a manner that warrants trust, considering the key elements of Transparency, Partnership, People, Data, Privacy/Ethics/Human Rights as well as Human Oversight.

There is some concern through the industry that these transparency requirements may force development companies to publish their IP, to show-the-code, giving up their secrets sauce.

Microsoft has encouraged the New Zealand Government to consider developing practical implementation guidelines, including sharing examples of government projects that have piloted the principles of the Charter. We recommend providing government agencies that are expected to apply the Charter with real-life examples that illustrate the technical, organisational and policy safeguards could help them deliver on the Charter’s objectives.

Read more from Microsoft on this topic here.

Read the AI Forum Report on Trustworthy AI in Aotearoa - AI Principles