In 2019 the Government, Local Government Denmark and Danish Regions established an investment fund for new technologies for the period of 2019 – 2022. The fund supported projects using e.g. artificial intelligence (AI) to provide experience with the development and use of AI in the public sector.
Artificial intelligence offers great opportunities for creating growth, prosperity and world-class public services. From 2020 to 2022, The Danish National Uptake Fund for New Technologies has funded 40 projects, which provide experience with the development and use of AI in the public sector and knowledge of challenges when using the technology.
The aim of the projects has been to provide concrete experience with the use of artificial intelligence in the areas of welfare services, climate impact, and public administration. The technology can for example support workers in the health sector, provide recommendations on how to reduce our energy consumption, or handle administrative tasks more efficiently, thus enabling more time for citizen-centered services.
Key insights from the signature projects
In 2024, the Agency for Digital Government completed an evaluation of the signature projects. The purpose of the evaluation is to share experiences from the projects and use of artificial intelligence, to serve as a base for the future joint governmental collaboration.
Potential to improve the public sector
The evaluations illustrate that AI can improve the public sector. Several projects have realized concrete gains, specifically when it comes to making the public sector more efficient. At the same time, all projects report positive experiences, among others that the projects have improved technical skills within the organization, increased understanding of the technology and furthered innovation with artificial intelligence.
Focus on challenges
However, the signature projects have also highlighted a number of significant challenges. The projects have experienced challenges related to data and regulation. These include, as examples, insufficient data quality, lacking data volume and uncertainty regarding the GDPR.
The evaluation was carried out at different times in the projects’ lifecycle, thus illustrating issues to pay particular attention to during the different phases of an AI project. At the same time, the evaluation provides examples of how some projects have overcome some of the challenges encountered.
The experiences from the signature projects are part of an effort to promote responsible use of artificial intelligence in the public sector.
Project facts from the evaluation:
• 22 of 40 AI signature projects have been completed. 18 projects are still ongoing.
• 6 projects were fully implemented at the time of the evaluation.
• 82% of projects report improved skills within their organization
• 79% of projects have experienced data challenges
• 68% of projects have experienced regulatory challenges
Read more here (in Danish)
