Citizen participation and open government in the digital age: an AI perspective

Abstract

The incorporation of technological tools into people’s lives has generated changes, both in their daily activities (such as working, studying, obtaining information, entertaining, shopping, etc.) and in their forms of social interaction with other actors, such as with the State (its character as governed people). Thus, such tools (the internet, big data, artificial intelligence, etc.) determine—in part—the form of inte­raction between those governed and those who govern and are used as strategies to streamline processes and service administration, while maintaining democratic and open government principles.

Currently, within these tools, Artificial Intelligence represents a paradigm similar to that of the internet (at the time of its emergence and rise) due to the implications it can have on the way we govern. Howe­ver, how does AI impact participation and governance? Thus, this paper aims to analyze and explain the transformation of citizen participation and open government through the use of new information and communication technologies (such as AI). It employs a qualitative documentary approach based on a review of specialized literature and statistical data. It establishes that the use of AI in government and citizen participation represents potential opportunities, but also challenges and risks, as its changes will continue to be constant.