Ethics, Transparency and Accountability Framework for Automated Decision-Making
Summary
The UK Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation, alongside the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, Cabinet Office, and Office for Artificial Intelligence, published a 7-point Ethics, Transparency and Accountability Framework for Automated Decision-Making. The framework provides guidance for public sector organisations on using automated or algorithmic decision-making systems safely, sustainably and ethically. An accompanying Risk Potential Assessment Form helps teams evaluate possible risks of automated or algorithmic decisions.
What changed
The UK Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation published a 7-point framework to guide government departments on safe, sustainable, and ethical use of automated or algorithmic decision-making systems. The framework targets civil servants including senior owners, risk owners, operational staff, and digital/data/technology roles, providing principles for transparency and accountability. A companion Risk Potential Assessment Form accompanies the guidance.
Public sector organisations using algorithmic decision-making systems are expected to consider this framework when deploying such systems. While non-binding, the guidance establishes expectations for ethical AI use in government and may inform future regulatory approaches. Organisations should monitor for updates as the framework may evolve.
What to do next
- Monitor for updates
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Apr 15, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
Guidance
Ethics, Transparency and Accountability Framework for Automated Decision-Making
Guidance for public sector organisations on how to use automated or algorithmic decision-making systems in a safe, sustainable and ethical way.
From: Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation, Cabinet Office and Office for Artificial Intelligence Published 13 May 2021 Last updated 29 November 2023
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Ethics, Transparency and Accountability Framework for Automated Decision-Making
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Ethics, Transparency and Accountability Risk Potential Assessment Form
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Details
The ‘Ethics, Transparency and Accountability Framework for Automated Decision-Making’ is a 7 point framework to help government departments use automated or algorithmic decision-making systems safely, sustainably and ethically. It is aimed at civil servants, particularly:
- senior owners of all major processes and services subject to automation consideration
- process and service risk owners
- senior leaders
- executive leaders
- operational staff
- those in digital, data and technology roles
- policy makers
- ministers when considering an algorithm or automated system The ‘Ethics, Transparency and Accountability Risk Potential Assessment Form’ document will help teams assess the possible risk of an automated or algorithmic decision.
Updates to this page
Published 13 May 2021 Last updated 29 November 2023 show all updates
1.
29 November 2023
Updated with the introduction of Government Digital and Data, the first official name for the function and profession which was sometimes previously referred to as DDaT.
2.
13 May 2021
First published.
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