Scottish Government guidance instructs that ‘people, not AI must remain responsible for decisions’

The Scottish Government's Digital Directorate has issued new national guidance stating that 'people, not AI systems, remain responsible for decisions' and that automated technology should not be used for decisions that cannot be explained or properly reviewed. The guidance, published following Scotland's five-year AI strategy released in March, advises that choosing not to use AI can be the right decision for tasks like communications and data analysis. Becca Fairless, head of digital citizen policy at the Scottish Government, emphasized that decisions about AI use should involve policy teams, operational colleagues, service designers, programme managers, and senior leaders.

A new advice document released by the government’s Digital Directorate also sets out that automated technology should not be used to support ‘decisions that cannot be explained or properly reviewed’ Artificial intelligence systems should not be charged with making public-service decisions, Scottish leaders have been warned. New national guidance published by the Scottish Government’s Digital Directorate warns that “people, not AI systems, remain responsible for decisions” and the tech should not be used “where decisions cannot be explained or properly reviewed”. The warning follows the March publication of Scotland’s five-year AI strategy and states that “choosing not to use AI can be the right decision” for communications, data analysis and other tasks. Related content - What is the cost of DWP’s UC anti-fraud algorithm? https://www.publictechnology.net/2026/01/21/society-and-welfare/what-is-the-cost-of-dwps-uc-anti-fraud-algorithm/ - Failing to secure public trust could derail government’s AI agenda https://www.publictechnology.net/2025/04/22/government-and-politics/failing-to-secure-public-trust-could-derail-governments-ai-agenda/ - HMPPS sheds light on prisoner ‘violence estimator’ algorithm https://www.publictechnology.net/2025/07/09/public-order-justice-and-rights/hmpps-sheds-light-on-prisoner-violence-estimator-algorithm/ The new guidance states: “AI can help improve services, automate tasks and support decision-making. But it is not always the right solution. Start by understanding the problem you’re trying to solve. If a simpler solution meets your users’ needs, use that instead.” In a blog post about the guidance, Becca Fairless, head of digital citizen policy at the Scottish Government, said: “Decisions about AI use should involve policy teams, operational colleagues, service designers, programme managers and senior leaders. Everyone has a role to play in making sure AI is used responsibly.” The country’s AI strategy was launched before the election by then-deputy first minister Kate Forbes and Richard Lochhead, who was the business minister. It runs until 2031. A version of this story originally appeared on PublicTechnology sister publication Holyrood https://www.holyrood.com/