By Karime Bensaid, Head of e-Government & AI Data Practice, Sofrecom
Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly becoming the ultimate accelerator of performance, efficiency, transparency, and accessibility in public administration.
AI and E-Government: Concrete Applications
The application of AI, machine learning, deep learning, natural language processing, computer vision, expert systems, and generative AI in e-government are endless. These include:
- Administrative decision support
- Automatic detection of tax fraud or traffic violations
- Combating money laundering
- Reception robots in government offices
- Interactive voice bots in local languages
- Automatic generation of administrative reports or summaries
- Aerial image analysis to map displaced population camps
Case Studies: AI in Action
· Singapore: Streamlining Traffic with AI
In Singapore, peak-hour delays have decreased by 20%, and average speed has increased by 15% thanks to an artificial intelligence-based traffic management system that uses real-time data to monitor traffic flow, predict congestion patterns, and adjust traffic lights accordingly.
· Estonia: AI at the Heart of Healthcare and Education
In e-health, the Estonian government has developed an AI-based health information system to manage patient data and improve healthcare delivery. This system integrates data from various healthcare providers, enabling real-time access to patient records and facilitating decision-making by healthcare professionals. AI algorithms analyze patient data to identify trends, predict potential health problems, and recommend preventive measures, ultimately improving public health outcomes.
Also, as part of a unique global initiative, Estonia is providing all its secondary school students and teachers with access to ChatGPT Edu.
· France: Ambitious Projects to Improve Citizens’ Lives
In France, the government has highlighted 30 projects funded by the France 2030 investment plan, through which it will use AI to improve healthcare, agriculture, education, and more, to make citizens’ lives better.
Ethical Challenges of AI in the Public Sector
However, these rapid changes raise profound ethical concerns. These changes, stemming from potential AI bias and discrimination, contribute to climate degradation or human replacement, manipulate opinions, or threaten human rights, among many other things.
International Principles and Frameworks for Responsible AI
Adopted in May 2019 by the 42 member countries and partners of the OECD, the Principles for Responsible and Trustworthy AI constitute the first intergovernmental framework for guiding the development of artificial intelligence in an ethical and beneficial way for humanity; namely, benefit for individuals and the planet, respect for human rights, democratic values and fairness, transparency and explainability, robustness, security and reliability, and finally, responsibility.
The OECD and the G20 align with these principles, giving them near-global reach. In 2020, the OECD created the Global AI Policy Observatory (OECD.AI), a platform that tracks the concrete application of these principles in each country.
In 2021, the UNESCO General Conference adopted the first Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence, establishing a comprehensive framework to guide AI towards human, social, and environmental well-being.
European Regulation: AI Act
On August 1, 2024, the European AI regulation, known as the AI Act, came into force. It regulates the development, marketing, and use of AI systems, with obligations for suppliers and prohibitions for certain uses, including social scoring and remote biometric identification in public places, except in exceptional cases.
Recommendations for Responsible AI
In addition to its principles, the OECD proposes guidelines for governments to promote responsible AI:
- Invest in research and development in reliable AI.
- Foster an inclusive innovation ecosystem.
- Adapt legal frameworks to encourage transparency, security, and fairness.
- Develop human capacities.
- Encourage international cooperation.
According to UNESCO’s recommendations, the goal is to put AI systems at the service of humanity, preventing harm and promoting social, environmental, and ethical well-being.
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