Nowadays, information has become a strategic resource and the state is one of the main producers of data in the country. Data is a fundamental input for the design of more efficient and effective public policies, so it is essential to promote both its care and its use.
Based on six cases of intelligent uses of data in the state, some of the possibilities that artificial intelligence and non-traditional data sources offer to public management are presented. The document reviews their innovation, operation, data flow and the future outlook offered by each of these examples.
Many of the cases presented here were pioneering in the areas of their implementation. They show a variety of interventions in the areas of policy design and management in the conservation, use, availability and public access to data.
Artificial Intelligence and Data in Government Agencies
The success of the experiences presented is assessed by:
- Their contribution to transparency in access to public information.
- Their usefulness in supporting management, speeding up and saving time and resources in the State’s responses to certain problems.
- The timely availability of the information they provide.
- Facilitating segmented analysis of the target population of public policies.
- The classification of unstructured data and the expansion of the capacity for analysis, planning and policy development with much greater temporal and spatial granularity.
These are successful examples of collaboration between state agencies, foundations and universities. These collaborations allowed specific problems to be addressed effectively and efficiently, based on the innovative use of data sources and artificial intelligence. These are initiatives developed in recent years, many of which emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.
Challenges using Data in Government Agencies
While the importance of a stable and sustained data policy is recognised, the lack of continuity in public policies also affects data areas. Interruption in the implementation of data management policies can create information gaps and hinder long-term planning.
In turn, these cases already face several challenges. Interoperability between government bodies is at the core of some of these challenges, as it still has to overcome:
- Fragmentation of databases.
- Heterogeneity between state agencies in the perspective of data.
- The diversity of IT systems or the lack of a common language.
We need to raise awareness of the importance of working with data and foster a data culture at both national and sub-national levels. To this end, we need to optimise regulation to avoid duplication of rules and procedures. It is also essential to develop and retain human talent in the state, which starts by identifying and mapping existing skills. Improving the use of data for planning and decision-making will help to build credibility in the information generated and rebuild trust with citizens.
