Betty Brown, the 92-year-old oldest surviving victim of the Post Office Horizon IT scandal, was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for her services to justice after campaigning against wrongful prosecutions. Brown, who ran the Annfield Plain Post Office in County Durham with her late husband Oswall from 1985, was forced out in 2003 after spending more than £50,000 of their savings to cover non-existent shortfalls flagged by the faulty Horizon system.

Brown recently received her long-awaited settlement from one of the government's compensation schemes. Speaking to BBC Breakfast, Brown stated she accepted the recognition in the New Year Honours list on behalf of all the victims of the scandal, adding, "Every one of them should have an OBE... Every one of them for what they've Post Office put us through and what we have stood solid and faithful for. I did it for justice."

The Horizon IT system, implemented by Fujitsu, was responsible for more than 900 sub-postmasters being wrongfully prosecuted due to it providing incorrect information about supposed financial discrepancies. Thousands more were affected by the faulty system, leading to financial ruin, reputational damage, and in some cases, imprisonment. The scandal exposed significant flaws in the Post Office's investigation and prosecution processes, as well as raising questions about the reliability of automated systems and the responsibility of organizations to ensure their accuracy.

The Horizon system, in essence, is an example of applied artificial intelligence, utilizing algorithms to manage and report financial data. However, the scandal highlights the critical need for robust testing, validation, and human oversight when deploying AI systems, particularly when they impact individuals' livelihoods and legal standing. The case underscores the potential for algorithmic bias and the importance of transparency and accountability in AI development and implementation.

The government has established multiple compensation schemes to address the widespread injustices caused by the Horizon scandal. An ongoing public inquiry is examining the failings of the Post Office and Fujitsu, with the aim of preventing similar occurrences in the future. The inquiry is expected to provide further recommendations for improving the governance and oversight of automated systems within public institutions. The latest developments include continued testimonies from key figures involved in the scandal and ongoing scrutiny of the evidence presented.