Machine Learning 2022 (ML2022)

Many National Statistical Offices (NSOs) are exploring how machine learning (ML) can be used to increase the relevance and quality of official statistics in an environment of growing demands for trusted information, rapidly developing and accessible technologies, and numerous competitors.

While specific business environment may vary depending on country, NSOs facesimilar types of challenges which can benefit from sharing knowledge, experiences and collaborating on developing common solutions within the broad official statistical community.

To address this need, the UNECE High-Level Group for the Modernisation of Official Statistics (HLG-MOS) launched a Machine Learning Project in 2019.

The project aimed to demonstrate the added value of ML by, for instance, investigating whether it enables production of more relevant, timely, accurate and trusted data in an efficient manner. The project also aimed at increasing the capability of NSOs to use ML by identifying and addressing some common challenges encountered when incorporating ML in organisations and their production processes. It identified that organizational and structural impediments, including uncertainty over who should be responsible for building, evaluating, and maintaining these highly interdisciplinary systems, leads to an inability to implement otherwise successful machine learning solutions.

Led by the UK Office for National Statistics Data Science Campus in partnership with the UNECE HLG-MOS, the ML 2022 Group will build on the outcomes of the work of the UNECE HLG-MOS Machine Learning project and, in consultation with existing and new members, develop and deliver on priority areas of work.