Applications of Artificial Intelligence in Public Sector and its Challenges

A series of technologies collectively referred to as artificial intelligence (AI) “give intelligent computers the ability to learn, enhance and make reasoned judgements in ways that allow them to perform tasks that are usually considered to demand only human expertise, creativity, and ingenuity.” Significant advancements in hardware and software have accelerated the development of AI and increased the possibility that it will have a beneficial social impact, according to the 2018 UN E-Government Survey. The learning process of computers is being accelerated by increased data utilisation, which is also enhancing the effectiveness of AI systems that largely rely on data. On the one hand, AI has the potential to spur prosperity and assist developing nations in overcoming some enduring challenges. The aforementioned concerns are analysed from the perspective of the public sector in this working paper, taking into account public managers in particular those involved in the development of digital government. The results of the 2018 United Nations E-Government Survey are also taken into consideration in the study. It is anticipated that the working paper will be actively debated at the sessions held to prepare for the 2019 United Nations E-Government Survey.

I. Introduction

Artificial intelligence has been dubbed “a new frontier” where “advances are progressing at warp speed” by UN Secretary-General António Guterres. He contends that AI has the potential to hasten the transition toward a world where everyone lives with dignity, in peace, and prosperity. Governments, businesses, and members of civil society must all start thinking about the long-term effects of artificial intelligence [1]–[2].