AI in Public Administration: Balancing Innovation and Risk
As technology transforms service delivery, public administrators must balance innovation, risk, and public trust. AI is ubiquitous, appearing in every digital device, from smartphones to security cameras and municipal utility systems.
Those who have worked with AI are often amazed by its speed and intelligent responses. However, this speed and scale also introduce heightened risks, with a slimmer margin for error and the potential for small mistakes to escalate quickly.
Five Core Questions for Public Administrators
- What problem are we actually trying to solve with AI?
AI should never be adopted simply because it is the “latest thing” or because other governments are experimenting with it.
Public administrators must continually ask this question as new ways to employ AI in government emerge.
Author's summary: Public administrators must balance innovation and risk when adopting AI.