Algorithmic Bureaucracy (original) (raw)

From Bureaucracy to Smartocracy: AI in Modern Governance

The study explores the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in public administration. It examines how AI can shift traditional bureaucratic systems to a more dynamic and efficient "smartocracy." It also evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of AI-driven processes, identifies ethical and legal challenges, assesses public perception and trust, ensures equitable access to AI-driven governance, prepares the officials and employees of the public sector for AI integration, and proposes a framework for the responsible use of AI in governance. The study employs a mixed-method research design, combining quantitative and qualitative approaches to provide a comprehensive understanding of AI's impact on public administration. Public administration has evolved significantly over the centuries, adapting to changing political, social, and technological landscapes. Initially characterized by the politics-administration dichotomy introduced by Woodrow Wilson, the field has undergone various phases, including the principles of administration era, the era of challenges, the crisis of identity, and the public policy perspective. Parallel to these developments, the field of AI has also evolved, from its conceptual foundation by Alan Turing to significant advancements in machine learning and deep learning. The integration of AI into public administration holds great promise for enhancing efficiency, transparency, and responsiveness in government services.

Digital transformation: Artificial intelligence shaping the future of public sector

New Applied Studies in Management, Economics & Accounting, 2024

This study delves into the profound influence of artificial intelligence (AI) on the fiscal dynamics of the public sector. It chiefly examines how AI can enhance aspects such as efficiency, precision, openness, and responsibility in public financial administration. Literature research is included in qualitative research methods. To conduct Public Sector Finance literature. This research was conducted by the SLR method or systematic literature review by collecting data through the PRISMA method sourced from the Scopus database case studies focusing on AI deployment across various nations. Data It integrates both quantitative and qualitative data analysis to assess AI's impact and efficacy within the sphere of public finance. The final number of data was chosen 27 data to be selected. The primary discoveries reveal that AI harbors considerable potential to refine financial procedures in the public sector. This includes augmenting automation, diminishing human error, and bolstering decision-making grounded in data analysis. However, the study acknowledges challenges like data security concerns, technological infrastructure prerequisites, and the scarcity of adequately skilled personnel. It proposes resolutions such as establishing robust policy frameworks and implementing human resources training initiatives to surmount these hurdles. The implications of this research hold substantial significance for policymakers and practitioners in the public domain. AI is reshaping not just the operational modalities of public financial entities but also influencing governmental policy-making, strategies for human resource development, and the interaction dynamics between citizens and the government. The article underscores the necessity for a proactive and responsive adaptation of AI technologies, advocating for their integration to guarantee effective and transparent governance in public finance for the future.

Digital and Intelligent Public Administration: transformations in the era of artificial intelligence

A&C - Revista de Direito Administrativo & Constitucional, 2018

This article addresses the impact of the digital era and it specifically refers to information and communication technologies (ICT) in Public Administration. It is based on the international approach and underscores the importance of incorporating new technologies established by the United Nations and the Organization of American States. Thereon, it highlights the Argentine Republic national approach towards ICT, and how it has moved towards a digital paradigm. It then emphasizes on the challenges and opportunities that emerge from the impact that artificial intelligence has in transforming Public Administration. Finally, it concludes that the key challenge of the Fourth Industrial Revolution is to achieve a boost towards a Digital and Intelligent Administration and government, which promotes the effectiveness of rights and an inclusive technological development that assures the digital dignity of people.

Responsible AI and Power: Investigating the System Level Bureaucrat in the Legal Planning Process

34th Bled eConference Digital Support from Crisis to Progressive Change: Conference Proceedings, 2021

Numerous statements and pamphlets indicate that governments should increase the transparency of ICTimplementations and algorithms in eGovernment services and should encourage democratic control. This paper presents research among civil servants, suppliers and experts who play a role in the automation of spatial policymaking and planning (e.g. environment, building, sound and CO2 regulation, mobility). The case is a major digitalisation programme of that spatial planning in the Netherlands. In this digital transition, the research assumption is that public and political values such as transparency, legitimacy and (perceived) fairness are difficult to validate in the practice of the design process; policy makers tend to lose sight of the algorithms and decision trees designed during the ICT -implementation of eGovernment services. This situation would implicate a power shift towards the system level bureaucrat. i.e., the digitized execution of laws and regulations, thereby threatening...

Algorithmic Governance: Unveiling the Nexus between Artificial Intelligence and Policy Dynamics

Annals of Human and Social Sciences, 2024

It's commonplace for artificial intelligence (AI) to be incorporated into government worldwide these days. The objective of this research is to understand and scrutinize the relationship between policymaking and postmodern conceptions and inventions of AI and Algorithmic Governance. In the modern world, incorporation of the AI and technology into the processes of policymaking and governance is indispensable. Therefore, research needs to be conducted on this scenario as to analyze the relationship between policy dynamics and incorporation of AI into it. This research employs a qualitative approach, entailing case studies and consequent analyzation to demonstrate the connection of AI and governance. The research finds that the nexus between AI and policy dynamics in light of the algorithmic governance encompasses a wide variety of aspects, including fostering community participation, increasing policy effectiveness as well as considering the ethical boundaries. In the end, this work advances our understanding of the complex relationships between AI technology and policy dynamics, which may be helpful to researchers, policymakers, or other organizations traversing algorithmic management environments.

Implications of the use of artificial intelligence in public governance: A systematic literature review and a research agenda

Government Information Quarterly, 2021

We present 1) a systematic review of existing literature on the implications of the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in public governance and 2) develop a research agenda. First, an assessment based on 26 articles on this topic reveals much exploratory, conceptual, qualitative, and practice-driven research in studies reflecting the increasing complexities of using AI in government-and the resulting implications, opportunities, and risks thereof for public governance. Second, based on both the literature review and the analysis of articles included in this special issue, we propose a research agenda comprising eight process-related recommendations and seven content-related recommendations. Process-wise, future research on the implications of the use of AI for public governance should move towards more public sector-focused, empirical, multidisciplinary, and explanatory research while focusing more on specific forms of AI rather than AI in general. Content-wise, our research agenda calls for the development of solid, multidisciplinary, theoretical foundations for the use of AI for public governance, as well as investigations of effective implementation, engagement, and communication plans for government strategies on AI use in the public sector. Finally, the research agenda calls for research into managing the risks of AI use in the public sector, governance modes possible for AI use in the public sector, performance and impact measurement of AI use in government, and impact evaluation of scaling-up AI usage in the public sector.

Artificial Intelligence in Government: Risks and Challenges of Algorithmic Governance in the Administrative State

Indiana Journal of Global Legal Studies, 2023

This article analyzes the legal implications of using artificial intelligence in government and how it is challenging the foundations of the administrative state. It begins by demonstrating that a new model of government is emerging, based on information and intelligence (i-Gov). To understand the nature and scope of this new i-Gov model, this article will explain what artificial intelligence really is and analyze the applications that are currently being carried out in the US and the EU. Next, it will review the regulatory framework that is emerging that regulates government use of artificial intelligence in both the US and the EU. Finally, the article concludes by identifying and analyzing the main legal and policy problems involved in the use of artificial intelligence in government. It challenges values, principles, and institutions of the traditional administrative state and also requires us to think of new frameworks for constitutional and administrative law to guarantee citizens' rights and public interest.

Artificial intelligence, task complexity and uncertainty: analyzing the advantages and disadvantages of using algorithms in public service delivery under public administration theories

Digital Transformation and Society

PurposeThis article revisits some theories and concepts of public administration, including those related to public value, transaction costs and social equity, to analyze the advantages and disadvantages of using artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms in public service delivery. The author seeks to mobilize theory to guide AI-era public management practitioners and researchers.Design/methodology/approachThe author uses an existing task classification model to mobilize and juxtapose public management theories against artificial intelligence potential impacts in public service delivery. Theories of social equity and transaction costs as well as some concepts such as red tape, efficiency and economy are used to argue that the discipline of public administration provides a foundation to ensure algorithms are used in a way that improves service delivery.FindingsAfter presenting literature on the challenges and promises of using AI in public service, the study shows that while the adopti...

A shallow defence of a technocracy of artificial intelligence: Examining the political harms of algorithmic governance in the domain of government

Technology in Society, 2020

Artificial intelligence (AI) has proven to be superior to human decision-making in certain areas. This is particularly the case whenever there is a need for advanced strategic reasoning and analysis of vast amounts of data in order to solve complex problems. Few human activities fit this description better than politics. In politics we deal with some of the most complex issues humans face, short-term and long-term consequences have to be balanced, and we make decisions knowing that we do not fully understand their consequences. I examine an extreme case of the application of AI in the domain of government, and use this case to examine a subset of the potential harms associated with algorithmic governance. I focus on five objections based on political theoretical considerations and the potential political harms of an AI technocracy. These are objections based on the ideas of 'political man' and participation as a prerequisite for legitimacy, the non-morality of machines and the value of transparency and accountability. I conclude that these objections do not successfully derail AI technocracy, if we make sure that mechanisms for control and backup are in place, and if we design a system in which humans have control over the direction and fundamental goals of society. Such a technocracy, if the AI capabilities of policy formation here assumed becomes reality, may, in theory, provide us with better means of participation, legitimacy, and more efficient government.