AI4GOV Toolkit

What’s the role of the toolkit?

In this context, the AI4GOV Toolkit offers a methodology and the specific tools for its application in real public sector projects, considering the technology not an end but a means for reaching wider strategic objectives, particularly the meaningful adoption of AI to solve real societal needs. Following this approach, the tools proposed are specifically designed, or adapted from traditional service design ones, to guide both experts and non-experts in design and AI working in Governments and public administration with different roles (decision makers, civil servants, policy officers, external consultants) throughout the entire design process of envisaging, planning for, and testing AI-infused solutions.

How to navigate it?

The tools proposed in the toolkit span throughout four main phases of the design process:

(1) Context analysis,
(2) Envisioning solutions,
(3) Idea development, and
(4) Testing, also providing prototyping tools that can be transversal to those phases.

Each tool is provided with a canvas giving a short description and instructions about how to use it, an example, and a blank template to be completed accordingly.

Even though the tools are vertically aligned, the order in which to compile them can be customized based on the specific project under development and its contextual needs.

Who might benefit from it?

The AI4GOV Toolkit is ideal for anyone who has to deal with complex problems related to the development of AI systems and wants to ensure a systemic and human-centered perspective in envisioning solutions.

It can be used by service, UX, and system designers, AI developers willing to explore new approaches and broaden their views, but it has been specifically thought to be accessible also for novices in service design and AI fields, who can benefit from a deeper knowledge of these disciplines for their professional careers, like practitioners with key roles in public administrations.

Within the Master, the use of the AI4GOV Toolkit is introduced and facilitated by the teaching staff, but it can be approached both individually and – preferably – in groups to convey reflection and discussion about relevant aspects of project development.