Ministry says it could always use automated decision-making to make welfare decisions

The Ministry for Social Development asserts it has always had the capacity to use automated decision-making in welfare decisions, following a new bill's passage allowing broader use of such technology. This move signals a significant shift in how welfare decisions could be made more efficiently, potentially reducing the burden on human caseworkers. However, it raises important questions about accountability, bias, and the human touch in welfare decisions, highlighting the need for careful oversight to ensure fairness and transparency.