What a democratically anchored public administrator needs to understand about artificial intelligence and strategic management

With the rapid growth of artificial intelligence applications for the analysis of data and the design and operations of information systems that support the delivery of public services, public administrators are faced with some daunting challenges and novel opportunities. In order to understand what these challenges and opportunities are, they must first have a sense of some of the promises and policy discussions that are shaping present and future applications of artificial intelligence (AI). This chapter provides an overview of the fundamental features of one form of AI, machine learning, and the greater potential applications of AI for public policy and service delivery. An overview of several national-level policy documents (including the United States, European Union, and United Kingdom) are reviewed and synthesized. The forms of AI systems in relation to human interactions and role of administrative discretion are discussed, and recommendations for practice are provided.