Correspondence

Letter from Secretary of State to Roger Taylor (HTML)

Published 5 July 2021

This was published under the 2019 to 2022 Johnson Conservative government

Date: 1 July 2021

Dear Roger

I am writing to thank you for your leadership of the Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation since its establishment in 2018. Under your guidance and leadership, the Centre has grown into a world-renowned centre of expertise supporting responsible development and application of data-driven technologies and AI for the public benefit. The Board has been an essential anchor for the Centre as it has established its role and purpose, built vital, trusted relationships, and built its profile across government, civil society, academia and industry.

As set out in the National Data Strategy last year, the government wants the opportunities presented by data use to be embraced. But to do this we need to make data work for everyone, which means that innovation in data driven technologies such as online targeting systems must be responsible.

My predecessor commissioned the Centre to conduct two reviews, into Online Targeting and Bias in Algorithmic Decision Making. Both of these reviews yielded insights and provided in-depth analysis of the issues, which has helped to shape our policy development in these areas.

The Online Targeting Review was conducted during a period when we were developing our approach to Online Safety regulation and to Online Advertising. During the review the CDEI engaged with policy teams across Government, sharing their evidence base and analysis. The CDEI's work helped to significantly inform online safety policy development.

The CDEI identified key areas where the government could take action to address the risks, and maximise the potential benefits, of online targeting. Since the publication of the Online Targeting Report in February 2020 the government has consulted on or announced policies in a number of areas covered by the CDEI's report. Relevant publications include: a technical consultation on digital imprints (August 2020) and government response (June 2021); a response to the CMA's market study into online platforms and digital advertising (November 2020); the National Data Strategy (September 2020) and government response (May 2021); the Full Government Response to the Online Harms White Paper consultation (December 2020) and the Draft Online Safety Bill (May 2021).

The Algorithmic Bias Review, which was published at the end of last year, identified a number of potential areas for further action, and I'm pleased that progress has already been made on a number of them. The UK Innovation Strategy (2021) will set the Government's vision for the UK to be the world's most innovative economy by 2035, and addresses diversity in the technology sector. The Cabinet Office established the Central Digital and Data Office (CDDO) as the new strategic centre for Digital, Data and Technology for the Government, earlier this year. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) and Ofcom have together formed the Digital Regulation Cooperation Forum (DRCF) to support regulatory coordination in digital markets and cooperation on areas of mutual importance, and will be examining the issues of algorithmic processing as part of their work plan for the coming year, building on work undertaken by the CMA.

The contribution of the CDEI has not been confined to these reviews, and the CDEI Two Year Review is a testament to the broad contribution the Centre has made to the public debate on the responsible use of data and AI, from the AI Barometer to the Covid Repository, which captured novel use-cases of artificial intelligence and data being used to counter and mitigate the effects of COVID-19.

More recently you have supported us in defining the future role of the CDEI, ensuring that it is well placed to support the delivery of the priorities set out in the National Data Strategy. The CDEI's work programme this year is focused on three key themes: data sharing; responsible public sector innovation; and AI assurance. I am pleased that this will see the CDEI delivering projects in a range of new areas, as well as taking forward specific initiatives to deliver solutions to a number of the issues raised in the CDEI's previous work. I am particularly interested in CDEI's ongoing work to develop data stewardship mechanisms to support Mission 1 of the National Data Strategy, including the design and implementation of BEIS Smart Data schemes, along with CDEI's partnership with the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles to develop standards that will embed ethical due diligence into the design and use of autonomous vehicles. These are great examples of CDEI expertise helping the Government drive responsible innovation across the data economy.

I have attached to this letter further detail on how the CDEI insights from the Online Targeting and Algorithmic Bias reviews have informed the government's work programme. Both reports are continuing to inform and influence Government policy, and further developments in these areas will be announced in due course.

The role of data and AI is more important than ever to secure economic growth and wellbeing. However, we will not be able to reap those rewards if we don't get some fundamental things right. We must continue to build public trust in data and data-driven technology, and keep showing people the benefits of data when it is used in the right way.

Thanks to your leadership, I believe that the Centre is well-positioned to move into the next phase, supporting the National Data Strategy's objectives for the digital economy, delivering transformative, impactful change and ensuring that the UK is at the forefront of responsible innovation.

With thanks for all you and the Board have contributed,

The Rt Hon Oliver Dowden,
Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Appendix A: Update on algorithmic bias

Appendix B: Update on online targeting