Context
The European Union is at becoming a strategic leader in the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for the public sector. This intention is clearly stated in the 2021 Review of the Coordinated Plan on Artificial Intelligence, where the European Commission specifically propose to ‘make the public sector a trailblazer for using AI’.
AI has the potential to be an extremely useful - or even disruptive - technology for the modernisation of the public sector itself. In fact, AI might become a strong enabler for seeking efficiency and effectiveness in the management and delivery of public services.
For example, it has the potential to:
- automate simple and repetitive cognitive activities freeing-up labour time for more high-value activities
- augment the predictive capabilities, enhancing data-driven decision-making
- support user-centric service personalisation, increasing the effectiveness of public service delivery
Approach
The JRC gathers the evidence of the potential of AI for the public sector in different areas such as monitoring and control, resource planning, data validation, document digitalisation, law enforcement and service provision and delivery. We also studied the challenges of the AI adoption, being them organisational, technical, financial, or cultural.
Our work on AI in the public sector is developed under the JRC ‘Innovative public services’ initiative, including the support given to the new EC observatory ‘Public Sector Tech Watch’.
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Publication
A collective effort in exploring the applications of Artificial Intelligence and Blockchain in the Public Sector
Emilia Gómez, Lead Scientist at HUMAINT, participated in the conference "Judicial Training: The Right Skills to Embrace the Digitalisation of Justice" within a workshop around the use of AI in prisons and probation contexts.
This report provides the result of a research study conducted within the context of the Public Sector Tech Watch, an observatory developed by DG DIGIT, with the support of the Joint Research Centre (JRC).
Second landscaping study presenting the results of the mapping of the use of AI in public services in Europe
An in-depth comparative analysis of the AI national strategies, structured along the categories and priorities agreed between EC and Member States in the 2021 review of the Coordinated Plan on AI.
A handbook for policymakers, public administrations and relevant stakeholders