We are experiencing significant technological shifts in how government decision-making is done. These shifts are in part about the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI), but also the expanding use of automated decision-making (ADM) systems in government services and functions, as more data becomes available, alongside more ways to update, process, and use that data. These developments have significant implications for NSW state and local governments’ relationships with the people of New South Wales.

The NSW public has limited visibility over when and how ADM systems are being used to support or replace the work of NSW public servants in making decisions that affect the public in NSW. Neither state government departments and agencies, nor local councils, currently have any specific obligation to report their use of ADM systems.

To address this knowledge gap, the NSW Ombudsman initiated this mapping and analysis of ADM use across NSW state government departments and agencies, and local councils. While the NSW Ombudsman’s Office funded and supported this research, all responsibility for the data and analysis lies with the ADM+S team.

The researchers found that NSW government use of ADM is widespread, and increasing, both at the state government level, and across local councils. This includes the use (and proposed use) of AI across a wide range of contexts, including across every NSW state government portfolio.

They found ADM systems in use across government services, from low to high stakes contexts. The researchers also found that a mapping of this kind is challenging for a whole range of reasons. Therefore, they also provide insights, learned through the process of conducting this mapping, about how to identify, and record ADM system use in government, which they believe will be useful, both for researchers, and for governments seeking to be transparent and accountable for their use of technology.