ChileCompra presents unprecedented Standard Bidding Terms for algorithms and artificial intelligence with ethical requirements

The standardized bidding terms for public purchases include ethical considerations unprecedented in Latin America and were developed together with Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez as part of the Ethical Algorithms project implemented since 2020 with the support of IDB Lab.

Chile has become the first country in Latin America to have data ethics requirements for the public acquisition of automated systems. These are included in the Standard Bidding Terms that will support public buyers in their acquisition of technological solutions by considering transparency, privacy, non-discrimination and explainability conditions, among others.

This unseen advance was possible thanks to the Ethical, Responsible and Transparent Algorithms project executed by Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez (UAI) with the support of IDB Lab -the innovation lab of the lDB Group-, to which ChileCompra is a partner.

“At ChileCompra, we have always been concerned with technological innovation and modernization. Now we decided to open up a space that is unfamiliar to Public Administration, data ethics, because we understand it is a very efficient way to directly benefit citizens and make it easier for companies in the sector to acquire these competences and practices through their sales of services to the State,” explained Dora Ruiz, director of ChileCompra. “In addition to these Standard Terms,” she noted, “we are about to launch a Procurement Directive that explains and advises on how to use data ethics in the acquisition of technological services by the State.”

“This work will help all Chilean public entities governed by the Procurement Law to acquire algorithms, artificial intelligence, data science projects and automated systems in general in a responsible manner,” pointed out Romina Garrido, pilot coordinator of the Ethical Algorithms project and assistant director of GobLab at UAI’s School of Government.

It is worth mentioning that the use of Standard Terms allows State buyers to save time and resources in public bidding, as only the annexes need to be filled out, maintaining the acknowledgement already provided by the Office of the Comptroller General of the Republic for the standardized format.

Ethical requirements for the procurement of data science and artificial intelligence

Among other things, the Standard Terms require providers to use models with statistical equity metrics, propose additional data protection measures and perform a bias analysis in accordance with the nature of the procurement, just to mention some ethical requirements contained in these regulations.

During 2023, ChileCompra and Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez will hold workshops and various dissemination and training events for both State buyers and technological developers in order to support the implementation of the Standard Terms and promote their use.

“These best practices for ethical procurement have already been tested. As part of the Ethical Algorithms project, two pilot tenders were held in 2022 that included these requirements, one with the National Health Fund (FONASA) and another with the Public Criminal Defender’s Office, two bodies that are also members of the project and were key in accomplishing this advance,” stated Romina Garrido.

• Download the pdf document for the data science and artificial intelligence Standard Term (with acknowledgement from the Comptroller’s Office, spanish)
• Download the Word document for the data science and artificial intelligence Standard Term (editable, spanish)
• More information about the Ethical, Responsible and Transparent Algorithms project