Norway’s AI Public Sector Efforts Declared Unsatisfactory by National Audit Office

An investigation into the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in Norway’s public sector from 2018 to 2023, conducted by the National Audit Office, has concluded that the results are unsatisfactory. The agency stated that the overall effort is insufficient, given the ambition for Norway to have a world-class AI infrastructure.

Digitalization Minister Karianne Tung acknowledged the report highlights a known issue that they aim to improve. She explains that this assessment was part of the rationale for establishing the new Ministry of Digitalization and Administration at the start of this year. However, Riksrevisor Karl Eirik Schjøtt-Pedersen pointed out that public institutions are poorly prepared to implement AI, with fewer than 50 percent having adopted any AI tools so far.

The report criticizes the variability in how state agencies are working with AI. For instance, the Ministry of Health and Care has developed 111 AI systems, while the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has none. It identified unresolved legal questions, a lack of quality data for training AI systems, insufficient AI expertise, and inconsistent adherence to ethical guidelines as major issues.

Postdoctoral researcher Lisa Reutter emphasized the complexities of creating responsible AI in public administration, particularly concerning citizens’ privacy and legal frameworks. Minister Tung responded that the ministry is working to implement an AI regulation into Norwegian law, aiming to ensure responsible and ethical development and use of AI systems, alongside establishing a national AI oversight body.

Tung remains committed to her ambition that 80 percent of the public sector will utilize AI by 2025, framing it as a tool to address societal challenges and improve public services. Conversely, Reutter criticized the numerical targets, advocating for more grounded, concrete ambitions rather than mere metrics.