In a decisive move toward digital transformation, the Royal Civil Service Commission, in collaboration with the GovTech Agency, has launched the Generative Artificial Intelligence Usage Guidelines for Civil Service 2024. This landmark initiative aims to empower civil servants to leverage the transformative power of AI while upholding ethical standards and safeguarding public trust.
Recognizing the sweeping impact generative AI is expected to have globally — with UNESCO estimating it could contribute USD 13 trillion to the world economy by 2030 — Bhutan’s civil service is stepping forward to ensure it remains at the forefront of innovation. Generative AI’s capacity to create new text, images, videos, and even code is poised to revolutionize government operations, making services more efficient, accessible, and responsive.
According to projections from the Boston Consulting Group, generative AI could unlock as much as USD 1.75 trillion in value annually for governments worldwide. Meanwhile, Deloitte research suggests the technology could slash government operational costs by up to 20 percent. These figures underline the enormous potential for public sector transformation.
The newly released guidelines offer civil servants a roadmap for ethical and effective AI use. From aiding in brainstorming sessions and enhancing multilingual communication to improving research and data analysis, AI will act as a powerful tool to support decision-making and policy development. Crucially, the integration of AI promises a new era of citizen-centric services, including round-the-clock assistance through AI-powered chatbots and virtual assistants.
The document provides a curated list of recommended AI tools for different functions. For tasks like content creation, research, and general productivity, tools such as ChatGPT, Google Gemini, Microsoft Copilot, and Clause AI are suggested. Visual content creation is supported through platforms like DALL-E 3, Midjourney, and Gamma, while writing aids like QuillBot and Scholarcy assist with drafting and summarizing reports. For video editing and notetaking, Synthesia, Soundraw, Otter.ai, and ClickUp are among those recommended.
However, the guidelines make it clear that AI must be used responsibly. Civil servants are strongly cautioned against feeding sensitive or classified information into AI systems, and are reminded that AI should support — but never replace — human judgment, especially in matters of governance and public accountability.
The document draws inspiration from established international frameworks, referencing best practices from countries like Canada, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, the United States, the UAE, and the European Union. In the absence of specific national AI policies, the guidelines are intended to act as a provisional framework for government use.
Moreover, the United Nations Development Programme’s recent Artificial Intelligence Readiness Assessment 2024 underscores the urgency of enhancing technical skills within the public sector and improving data integration. At the same time, concerns around transparency and the need for robust monitoring mechanisms are echoed, reinforcing the guidelines’ focus on ethical considerations.
As AI continues to reshape industries around the world, Bhutan’s civil service is laying the groundwork to ensure it can harness the benefits of this technology responsibly — driving innovation while keeping citizens’ interests at heart.
