The ICEGOV2020 proceedings of the 13th International Conference on Theory and Practice of Electronic Governance - available at: https://dl.acm.org/doi/proceedings/10.1145/3428502.

Abstract

The conference was held under the high patronage of the Hellenic Ministry of Digital Governance. The University of the Aegean and the Harokopio University of Athens co-organised ICEGOV 2020 with the United Nations University Operating Unit on Policy-Driven Electronic Governance (UNU-EGOV), which is the conference series coordinator1. The conference organisation was also supported by the following sponsors: Delloitte, UniSystems, Intrasoft International S.A., Pylones, and Xcential. A range of supporters also played an essential role in the organisation of the conference: ManyLaws, ACM Press, Danube University Krems, ISA2 - Interoperability Solutions for Public Administrations, Businesses and Citizens, Central Union of Municipalities of Greece (KEDE), DAEM S.A., Elsevier, European Commission, Huffington Post, and CONVIN - Professional Conference Organizer.

ELISE action contribution

This proceedings comprise three papers performed under the ELISE action.

1- The Use of AI in Public Services: Results from a Preliminary Mapping Across the EU

Artificial Intelligence is a new set of technologies which has grasped the attention of many in society due to its potential. These technologies could also provide great benefits to public administrations when adopted. This paper acts as a first landscaping analysis to indicate, classify and understand current AI-implementations in public services. By conducting a desk research based on available documents describing AI projects, 85 AI applications in the public sector in selected European countries have been identified and reviewed. The preliminary analysis suggests that most AI initiatives are started with efficiency goals in mind, and they occur mainly in the general public service policy area. Findings of this preliminary landscape analysis set the basis for further more in depth research and recommendations for policy. [Access the research article]

2- Evaluating the impact of artificial intelligence technologies in public services: towards an assessment framework

Many governments are exploring applications of AI technologies to improve their public services. While AI has the potential to radically improve governmental processes, services and policy, limited studies empirically validate the effects of the use of AI. In this research paper, a first discussion on the development of a conceptual framework to research more rigorously the effects of AI in government is proposed. The proposed elements of the framework build upon the current understanding of the drivers influencing adoption of AI and takes into account the need for complementary organisational changes for increasing impact. The model follows a public value approach to understand the possible impact of AI on both the internal mechanism of the organisation, public service quality and broader societal effects.[Access the research article]

3- Exploring Digital Government Transformation: a literature review

This paper presents findings of the literature review on the recent developments of digital government transformation. It aims to inform the current debate about the dynamics and potential impacts of such transformation. The review covers the literature on the topic developed in the past decade, with a special focus on the conceptual transition from eGovernment towards Digital Government and the intervening factors that allowed the use of digital technologies to revolutionise public services, policymaking and public governance. The literature reviewed for this paper confirmed that the barriers and preconditions for a successful digital government transformation are complex and often not technology related. In fact, the introduction of new technologies by governments is always mediated by organisational, institutional, legal, ethical and social factors. Digital technologies may transform virtually every process, system and structure of government, resulting into redefinition of responsibilities and work routines of public officials. Nevertheless, they also create issues and trade-offs that merit careful consideration and preparation before a full-blown change is introduced. In conclusion, to enable to move from eGovernment to Digital Government transformation the application of new emerging technologies is the starting point but should not be considered in isolation from other intervening factors, from their possible combination, and from their specific characteristics.[Access the research article]