Journal of Emerging Trends in Economics and Management Sciences: Home

Article Title:
Exploring The Prospects And Challenges of Artificial Intelligence in Public Service Delivery: A Qualitative Study of Developing States
by Sarumi Fausat Remilekun & John Tosin Funsho

Abstract:
The paper is a qualitative research that addresses opportunities and challenges of artificial intelligence (AI) in the provision of public services throughout the developing states, which will be selected, between 2015 and 2025. Conducted in the context of interpretivist philosophy and based on the four research questions, the work researches how the public officials view AI, what obstacles prevent its implementation (both institutional and infrastructure-wise), what socio-political implications the use of AI in reforms has, and what are the best examples in current projects. Based on the systematic review, which examined 25 peer-reviewed articles, the results indicate that there is a broad agreement among the public officials that AI is indeed a useful tool that can enhance efficiency, transparency, and responsiveness. Nevertheless, the low levels of digital infrastructure, regulatory gaps, lack of technical capacity, and institutional resistance are still important setbacks. In addition, unless competent AI reforms are sensibly and favourably introduced, the initiative threatens to widen the digital divide and raise distrust among citizens. The research finds lessons that can be acted upon by the AI initiatives in Nigeria, South Africa, Mexico, and Kenya, such as the necessity to pilot program, the capacity building, the regulatory checks, and participatory governance. Such lessons can be added to the emerging understanding of AI governance especially in the Global South by making useful recommendations on how policymakers thinking of leveraging AI in their institutions can do so without reducing equity and accountability.

Keywords: Artificial Intelligence, Public Service Delivery, Digital Transformation, Public Sector Reform

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