As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to revolutionize various sectors, its integration into public administration (PA) holds immense potential for efficiency, innovation, and improved public services. However, AI also presents a host of ethical and technical challenges, some still not fully understood, so the capacity needs and ethical implications of AI deployment in governance are particularly significant. This conference aims to delve into the question whether 58 Report on the KosovaPAR 2024 conference capacity in PA is required for the use of AI or rather, whether AI will help to solve capacity issues within PA.

Recently, artificial intelligence was in the headlines more than ever. Governments are not only working to foster AI innovation and establish regulatory frameworks but also striving to integrate this technology into public services on all levels. Many countries in the world are using AI in Government for different purposes. Governments are leveraging AI to better serve the public across a wide array of use cases, including in healthcare, personalized services, the environment, cybersecurity, predictive analytics etc. A lot of research is being done but the question remains unchanged: how ready is a given government to implement AI in public administration and the delivery of public services to their citizens? [1] Furthermore, there are still issues with the lack of understanding of AI, and many put forward that the use of AI is easier once PA is already good, arguing thus for a reinforcement of capacities and a proper PAR. And finally, the good use of AI assumes a government with good intentions for their own people and the world, something that in 2024 still cannot be readily assumed.

Meanwhile, developed countries continue to invest in human capacity building, including in preparing engineers, ITC and AI specialists in order to support the effective implementation of AI solutions. It is impossible to envision that AI can be “the solution for PA” without profound and proper PA reform, and, to this end, human capacity building is key. In addition to human capacities, other capacities are crucial to PA and service delivery, an area to which AI could bring innovative solutions.

The goals of using AI in government include improving government services, reducing bureaucracy, and increasing citizen satisfaction.[2] For example, the United States, Brazil, Singapore, the United Kingdom or Canada use AI to deliver public services or improve government processes. In Kosova, the use of AI is more common in the private sector and rather limited in the public sector, but institutions are working in a parallel and also synergetic way to deliver on PAR and integrate the use of AI in different processes, such as recruitments or financial processes. Conference Objectives:

● Understanding AI: the advantages and risks it entails

● Human-centered AI and AI in support of human capacities: Human capacities are crucial to effectively implement AI, and AI can effectively support human capacities to better accomplish their duties and improve delivery

● Human capacities for effective implementation of AI tools

● Ethical Foundations of AI in Public Administration: Ethical frameworks for AI development and deployment, the role of values and principles in AI design

● Bias and Fairness in AI: Addressing algorithmic bias and ensuring fairness in AI-driven decision-making

● Transparency and Accountability: Promoting transparency in AI systems and establishing accountability mechanisms

● Privacy and Data Protection: Safeguarding privacy rights and ensuring data protection in the age of AI

● AI and Human Rights: Exploring the impact of AI on human rights and developing strategies to mitigate potential risks

● AI for Social Good: Leveraging AI to address societal challenges and promote public welfare

[1] https://oxfordinsights.com/ai-readiness/ai-readiness-index/ [2] https://oecd-opsi.org/innovations/ai-and-user-profiles/