Will questions from Flemish parliamentarians be answered with the aid of artificial intelligence (AI) in the future? The track has already been investigated, according to the answer that Vlaams Belang party leader Chris Janssens received to a written question. The use of AI by the Flemish government is already on the rise: 51 projects are already underway and 53 other applications are being investigated. Janssens does insist on more “parliamentary oversight” on the use of AI.
Just like in the rest of society, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) is also on the rise within the Flemish government. This is evident from data that Chris Janssens (Vlaams Belang) has requested from the Flemish government. The Flemish government calls on various specialized firms from home and abroad and the Digital Flanders entity is authorized to coordinate the deployment of AI.
According to Janssen, certain applications of AI by the Flemish government are obvious, such as improving the efficiency of internal and external operations and preparing policy. In addition, the government also wants to increasingly use AI to combat fraud. This is the case, for example, for fraud involving aid to companies and for the misuse of service vouchers. The Flemish government is also conducting research to systematically use AI to expose subsidy fraud.
It is striking that answering parliamentary questions using AI has also been investigated. For example, Prime Minister Jan Jambon acknowledges that an “exploratory discussion” has been held “at the initiative of external consultancy companies”. According to Jambon, “note has been taken” of the presentations. However, concrete actions have not yet been taken. Minister Jo Brouns (CD&V) for his part does indicate that “a proof of concept has been running for quite some time now with the help of AI to generate relevant information for answering parliamentary questions.
“Parliamentary oversight needed”
“The fact that artificial intelligence is used to improve the functioning of the Flemish government and policy seems to me to be a good thing,” responds questioner Chris Janssens. “On the other hand, I believe that decisions regarding the use of AI by the government should not be made by the government alone. In view of the ethical dilemmas involved, proper parliamentary oversight is required,” says the VB party leader.
“For example, we don’t want AI to make decisions on behalf of the government, do we?” it sounds. Janssens gives the example that since December 2022, artificial intelligence apparently predicts which childcare facilities have an increased risk of negative inspection. “To what extent is it then really the file successor itself who assesses the risks, as Minister Hilde Crevits nevertheless claims, and not AI?”, Janssens raises.
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