Publication of a study on artificial intelligence in public administration in Quebec

The introduction of artificial intelligence (AI) in public administration is growing rapidly and raises many questions. This technology presents several advantages and opportunities for organizations that wish to improve the efficiency and quality of services offered to citizens. It has the potential to transform aspects of administrative work such as automated decision making, predictive analysis, document processing and document processing and citizen interaction.

The study «L’introduction de l’intelligence artificielle (IA) dans l’administration publique au Québec» analyzes three Quebec public organizations that have undertaken projects to implement AI solutions. The objective is first to identify the elements likely to promote or hinder the deployment of AI in the public administration. Then, it is a matter of understanding how the arrival of this technology affects the organization of work as well as the quality of services offered to citizens and the quality of the work of public agents.

The questions this research answers are:

• What are the needs and expectations associated with implementing AI in public organizations?
• What are the challenges faced by public organizations that have introduced AI solutions?
• What are the repercussions of the introduction of AI on the organization of work within the pioneering public organizations in Quebec?
• How are AI solutions received by employees and what are their effects on the quality of work of public agents?

Consult the report (in French only)

This study was conducted by:

Steve Jacob, full professor of political science at Université Laval. He directs the laboratoire de recherche sur la performance et l’évaluation de l’action publique (PerfEval). He holds the Chaire de recherche sur l’administration publique à l’ère numérique and co-directs the Public Policy function of the International Observatory on the Societal Impacts of AI and Digital Technology (OBVIA), a division that provides scientific and analytical support to public policy makers. Steve Jacob conducts research on administrative modernization processes, public ethics, and performance management and evaluation systems.

Seima Souissi, holder of a PhD in public communication from Université Laval. She is a research professional at the Chaire de recherche sur l’administration publique à l’ère numérique and a lecturer in the Department of Information and Communication at Université Laval.

With the financial support of:

• Chaire de recherche sur l’administration publique à l’ère numérique, Université Laval
• OBVIA, with the support of Fonds de recherche du Québec, as part of the research project «Gestion algorithmique et avenir du travail: Les voies vers la gouvernance innovante responsable» selected in the 2nd phase of the call for innovative projects. This project is directed by Christian Lévesque (HEC Montréal) in collaboration with Julie Garneau (Université du Québec en Outaouais), Marc-Antonin Hennebert (HEC Montréal), Gregor Murray (Université de Montréal), Jacqueline Corbett (Université Laval) and Alain Marchand (Université de Montréal).