Introduction

Since its origin as a specific field of research in the mid-twentieth century, artificial intelligence (AI) has rapidly evolved (Villani et al., 2018). Designated as a cutting-edge technology, AI can be used in most sectors of our economy, whether manufacturing, finance, transportation, health, or the public sector. In recent years, the discipline has entered a new era, thanks in particular to the development of machine learning (ML), which “includes any information technology that learns and improves from examples, data, and experience, rather than following pre-programmed rules” (Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat, 2019). The digitalization of public administration, the automation of public sector workflows, and policy issues related to this revolution are part of the government transformation toward “Government 4.0.”

In this new digital world, the role of governments must be reaffirmed. Within this new technological environment, Government 4.0 has several roles: a facilitator, a user, and a legislator. As a facilitator, the government must support the development and adoption of AI through funding and the creation of entities. It should also help create or promote AI ecosystems. The government must also be a user of AI, using data science and ML techniques in its daily activities, in order to design new public policies. Finally, the government must have a legislative role in several areas, namely ethics, standardization, and privacy.

In this chapter, we will focus on opportunities for governments in the digital age. AI can help them not only in their daily operations but also to solve complex public sector problems. We will present several AI research projects that could help governments in designing or assessing public policies. At the same time, rapid technological changes raise concerns regarding risks and social impacts. We will identify emerging issues and the role of a government as a legislator. It is critical that the use of AI be governed with clear values, ethics, and rules.

Opportunities of AI and ML for Governments

AI and ML can be used to help the government improve public services and make the best use of its resources. They can also help identify issues in real time that can lead to faster reactions or better decisions. In addition, access to big data—both structured and unstructured data—can help to refine analyses and provide new evidence to build or adapt public policies in this new environment.