The Latvian Association of Artificial Intelligence (MILA) has developed the first practical guidelines for state and municipal institutions on the implementation and use of artificial intelligence (AI) solutions in public administration. The guidelines will help institutions better understand the potential of AI and more clearly understand how to organise the process of introducing and applying AI solutions.
The document was created within the project “Development of Practical Guidelines for the Introduction of Artificial Intelligence in Institutional Work and Services,” in cooperation with AI Master Lab experts, commissioned by the State Administration School (VAS) and with methodological support from the Ministry of Smart Administration and Regional Development Republic of Latvia (VARAM).
As MILA emphasises, the purpose of the guidelines is to provide a practical and easy-to-use framework for public institutions, enabling them to assess the suitability of AI use, prepare their organisations for the introduction of such technologies, and ensure a responsible, transparent and publicly accountable approach to the use of AI.
The guidelines serve as a fundamental methodological document with practical annexes that support and facilitate the process of implementing artificial intelligence solutions in public administration. The content includes practical recommendations for launching AI projects, evaluating and introducing solutions, as well as a decision tree for determining AI suitability and risk levels. They also include checklists, scenarios and catalogues of typical tasks that help institutions plan and implement AI projects step by step.
The project was implemented in three stages – starting with an analysis of the current situation and international best practices, continuing with thematic workshops involving institutions and experts, and concluding with the development and alignment of the guideline content.
The guideline content was developed by AI Master Lab experts:
• Jānis Judrups, Dr.sc.ing. – data management and e-learning solutions expert, lecturer at the Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies.
• Vija Kalniņa, PhD – expert in AI ethics, law and policy, Doctor of Law, with experience in research projects at Harvard University and Boston University.
“MILA’s task in this project was to create a practical tool that helps state institutions take the first steps in using artificial intelligence confidently and safely. These guidelines form the basis for responsible AI adoption in Latvia,” notes the Latvian Association of Artificial Intelligence.
Acknowledgements to Institutions
The development of these guidelines is based on close cooperation with institutions of the Latvian public sector. Special thanks to the institutions that participated in in-depth interviews and workshops: the Ministry of Defence, Data State Inspectorate, Ministry of Economics, Culture Information Systems Centre, Latvian National Accreditation Bureau, Liepāja Central Administration, Riga City Council and Riga Digital Agency, Ombudsman, Ministry of Justice, Register of Enterprises, State Administration School, State Digital Agency, State Revenue Service, State Audit Office, State Social Insurance Agency, State Land Service, and the VARAM.
MILA expresses gratitude for the insights, experience and discussions that made it possible to create a document that is practical and suitable for the needs of public administration.
Additional information and the full guideline content: https://www.varam.gov.lv/lv/maksligais-intelekts-valsts-parvalde
Project Information
The guidelines were developed in cooperation with the State Administration School's project “Digital Academy of Public Administration” (project No. 2.3.2.2.i.0/1/23/I/VARAM/001).
Financed by the European Union – NextGenerationEU.
However, the views and opinions expressed are solely those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the European Commission can be held responsible for them.
