Prime Minister's Office seeks control over public sector AI
Prime Minister's Office seeks control over public sector AI
Government proposal accelerates creation of national AI council to centralize efforts under PM’s leadership.
The Israeli government is accelerating the establishment of the National Artificial Intelligence Council within the Prime Minister's Office, according to a proposal distributed by the government. The proposal outlines that the council will serve as a centralized body to coordinate government activities in the field of artificial intelligence. To consolidate efforts, the proposal includes an amendment to Section 3 of Government Decision 173, transferring the planned regulatory knowledge center—originally intended to be established within the Ministry of Innovation, Science, and Technology—to operate under the national council. However, the proposal does not disclose the cost of establishing the council or who will lead it.
Currently, Israel's artificial intelligence initiatives operate under the Innovation Authority as part of TELEM, a framework involving multiple governmental and public bodies, managed by Ziv Katzir.
The proposal emphasizes the need to align the national council with government objectives and ministries' agendas. To achieve this, it suggests creating a steering committee composed of the CEOs of relevant ministries. Additionally, a multi-sector advisory council would be formed to provide guidance to both the council and the steering committee. This council would include representatives from the TELEM forum, the advisory committee for the artificial intelligence program, and other representatives as needed.
The steering committee would include key officials such as the budget commissioner and the accountant general of the Ministry of Finance, the director generals of the Ministry of Innovation, Science, and Technology, the Innovation Authority, the Council for Higher Education, and the head of the Digital Israel Initiative. Other relevant members may be added at the discretion of the committee chairperson or their delegate.
The Director General of the Prime Minister's Office will oversee the implementation and advancement of this decision. The proposal specifies that the Director General will assess the organizational needs to ensure the headquarters operates effectively. If necessary, operational areas may be transferred to fulfill the decision's objectives. This process will prioritize maintaining continuity in existing mechanisms and processes while facilitating a smooth transition to full functionality for the council.
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The Chief of Staff will allocate five staff positions from the Prime Minister's Office and a budget of 7 million shekels to launch the councils' activities for 2025-2026. The council will also be permitted to utilize outsourcing and external experts to support its operations. The Director General of the Prime Minister's Office will manage the ongoing budget for the headquarters, with adjustments made in coordination with the Ministry of Finance if required.
The Director General will report to the government on the councils' establishment within 90 days of the decision.
