- Report warns that inherited systems are a barrier for the adoption of AI
- Almost a third of government systems in the center of the United Kingdom are at the end of life.
- These systems also have serious cybersecurity risks
The United Kingdom’s public expenses surveillance agency has published a report that describes the barriers for the adoption of AI, and quotes “inherited IT systems” dated date “as a contributing factor, as well as low quality data and obstacles to share data.
The recommendations of the department arise as part of the plans of the United Kingdom government to “unleash the AI” with a plan to inject technology in all corners of the British industry with a private sector investment of £ 14 billion.
The Public Accounts Committee estimates that up to 28% of central government systems are “end of life” products that can no longer be updated, receive support from suppliers or are no longer profitable.
A matter of urgency
These inherited systems are of high priority for the Department of Science and Technology (DSIT), not only for AI to be used more widely, but because outdated technology can cause serious cyber security vulnerabilities.
But, DSIT warns that “there is no magical bullet” and that hardware will take time and effort to replace and fix, even admit that he needs “to get better control over the problem.” Of the 72 inherited systems “with red classification” that are of greater risk, 21 still lack remediation funds, so there is a long way to go.
“The Government has said that the main AI wants in the veins of the Nation, but our report raises questions about whether the public sector is ready for this procedure,” says the president of the Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown MP committee.
“The ambition to take advantage of the potential of one of the most significant technological developments of modern times is, of course, to be welcome. Unfortunately, those familiar with the past scrutiny of our Committee of Frankly sclerotic digital architecture of the Government will know that any promise of sudden transformation are for birds.”
