By Hsu Chia-Lin

Director of the Department of Information Management, Examination Yuan

In response to the surging wave of artificial intelligence, the Examination Yuan is aggressively pursuing digital transformation. By leveraging accumulated data resources and combining them with robust data governance and technical foundations, the Yuan aims to deepen AI applications, hoping that AI development will bring about a transformative opportunity for the utilization of civil service manpower.

Digital Transformation Lays the Foundation for AI Development

For the public sector or enterprises to successfully import Artificial Intelligence (AI), three "arrows" are required: Data, Computing Power, and Models. In addition, a "marksman"—a data scientist—is needed to hit the target. Among these, "data" plays the most critical role.

The Examination Yuan established the "Digital Transformation Committee" on February 3, 2021, to launch a cross-ministry overhaul of digital services. Initiatives include the digitization of national examination certificates, the computerization of national exams, the integration of civil service manpower databases, open data initiatives, and the establishment of an Examination and Personnel Data Research Center. Throughout this digital transformation process, a vast amount of data has been accumulated, which has now become the essential fuel for driving subsequent AI applications.

Issuing AI Usage Guidelines to Strengthen Risk Awareness

Since ChatGPT skyrocketed to popularity overnight, various generative AI tools have sprung up like mushrooms after rain. While these tools bring convenience to work and life, they also carry risks such as fraud, data leakage, model bias, and the provision of incorrect information.

To address this, the Examination Yuan, in sync with the Executive Yuan, released the "Examination Yuan Guidelines for Using Artificial Intelligence" in September 2023. These guidelines regulate staff usage of external public cloud AI (such as ChatGPT), stipulating that information produced by AI services cannot be fully trusted and that sensitive data must not be provided to these services. Regarding the Yuan's self-built AI systems, the guidelines emphasize protecting data security, avoiding biased results, respecting copyright, following cybersecurity and personal data regulations, and continuously refining models.

"Pragmatism" as the Core Spirit of AI Development

To promote AI applications in a sequential and orderly manner, the Examination Yuan follows a steady five-pronged strategy: "Build the Foundation," "Form Teams," "Learn by Doing," "Select the Right Topics," and "Observe Changes."

First, Building the Foundation is essential. Preparing the necessary infrastructure for AI—specifically data governance, acquiring computing platforms, and training staff cognition—is the priority. The goal of this phase is to ensure the Examination Yuan possesses sufficient technical energy and data readiness for smooth implementation.

Second, Forming Teams is critical, as AI development requires cross-departmental and interdisciplinary collaboration. Professional AI promotion teams must include members from IT units, business units, legal, ethical, and data science fields to ensure effective planning and management.

Third, Learning by Doing. AI promotion cannot be achieved in a single step, and early failures are possible. The Yuan adopts a strategy of starting with small-scale pilot projects to accumulate experience through trial and error, deepening technology and knowledge over time.

Fourth, Selecting the Right Topics. While AI applications are broad, not all problems are suitable for AI solutions. The Yuan targets "pain points" based on its own needs and goals, selecting issues where AI can best demonstrate its advantages to improve effectiveness and avoid wasted resources.

Finally, Observing Changes. As AI technology and application scenarios evolve rapidly, the Yuan maintains a state of constant awareness, keeping abreast of development trends and risk issues in technology and regulations, while retaining the flexibility to adjust strategies prospectively.

Looking Ahead: AI Voice Recognition Takes the Lead

Looking to the future, the Examination Yuan will uphold a spirit of stability and pragmatism. For instance, in terms of immediate action, the Examination Yuan meetings are pioneering the use of AI voice recognition. By combining the data resources accumulated during the early stages of digital transformation with comprehensive data governance, the Yuan expects to deepen AI applications further.

Ultimately, the goal is not only to use AI to accelerate digital transformation but to transform the civil service workforce itself. Through these efforts, the Examination Yuan aims to strike a balance between innovation and risk, ensuring that technology application and ethical responsibility go hand in hand.

Source: National Human Resources Forum, Issue 34 / Yahoo News

Link: https://tw.news.yahoo.com/%E4%BA%BA%E5%B7%A5%E6%99%BA%E6%85%A7%E5%B8%AD%E6%8D%B2%E8%80%8C%E4%BE%86-%E8%80%83%E8%A9%A6%E9%99%A2%E4%B8%8A%E8%B7%AF%E4%BA%86%E5%97%8E-071333493.html

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