Norway sets AI and inclusion priorities for public agencies through 2029

Norway’s Ministry of Digitalisation and Public Governance and Ministry of Labour and Social Inclusion announced on 9 October the government’s common directions for public agencies for 2027–2029. One direction asks agencies to improve efficiency and service quality, with particular emphasis on smart and responsible use of artificial intelligence. It says fundamental safeguards, including due process, privacy, openness, inclusion and democratic oversight, must be maintained when the state uses AI.

A second direction asks agencies to increase by 2029 the number of new hires with disabilities or periods outside work, education or training, and the share of employees with an immigrant background. Agencies are to set appropriate, reasoned ambition levels in cooperation with employee representatives, while each ministry follows up its subordinate bodies. The government said the three-year directions are intended to give agencies more predictability and time to pursue the goals.