The rapid growth in AI in recent months has given a worldwide possibility for its application not just in businesses but across the entire governance system. It is expected to improve efficiency and security across all work platforms. It will improve automation processes including automatic reading of emails and instinctively responding. The wider application of AI systems will also optimise decision-making processes. The employees will be trained to adapt to the new system as required but the general public who depend on public service to be provided by the system may be at lost for a while to get used to the system. But sooner or later it will materialise.
The difference is that the potentials of generative AI are exponentially greater than simple automation of a cashier’s job in a supermarket or a software diagnosing an x-ray by comparing x-ray database available in the system. The generative AI system has the ability to read any text and understand the context. It has the capacity to meticulously listen and understand verbal communications. It has the capacity to recognise visuals. It can clone voices. It has the capability to conduct complex maths and calculus in split seconds. Above all it has the capacity to compose responses with text, visual and audio based on instructions. This level of human-like capacity will have far-reaching positive and negative consequences in our society than a simple automation. The only aspect which is missing is the lack of human-like empathy, compassion and emotions while the AI composes a response to a situation based upon instructions. The new robots developed in Japan and Singapore can show facial expressions but it can never replace the expressions that come from flesh and blood. We are familiar with e-governance which at the moment means use of broadband connectivity for sharing information, resources and innovations with the use of geospatial information systems. This concept of e-governance will be an anemic notion considering what is to come with the application of generative AI. The governance in its traditional sense means providing direction, assessing rewards and risks of all decisions within the framework of the national constitution. This concept of governance may require a review should the governments decide to apply degenerative AI in governance.
The cyber technology experts are ecstatic with the possibility of improved business productivity with seamless workflow. The generative AI system has already demonstrated its learning capacity mimicking human’s intelligence and information processing patterns. Further development in this field cannot be stopped. The big challenge faced by the experts and regulators is how to mitigate the likely fall out from its applications in e-governance and public administration. People are already familiar with the power of cyber technology in marketing of commercial goods based on reader’s/viewer’s preferences through algorithms. The application of generative AI in e-governance and public administration is an exclusively new game much more far reaching than marketing of goods and supplies.
The software and hardware innovated to be used in cyber technology has improved work efficiencies across all fields from agriculture to controlling zoonotic diseases. Its application in the medical field has made surgeries less invasive resulting in less suffering and saved many lives. Generative AI is however far more advanced that the cyber technology people are familiar with today. There are many advantages of generative AI. It will reduce the requirement of human oversight. It also means there will be no human error in the process. It can produce complex documents, workplans and workflow processes within a very short time based on database and information available in the system. Its interactive processes can enhance modifications of any component of the finished product based on new information or instructions fed to the system and produce new versions in no time.
Who is in-charge?
The 21st century governance everywhere is a blend of government managed public institutions, private sectors and non-state entities collectively providing services to the public. How will the application of generative AI in governance change the dynamics of relationship between these different entities is unknown. The development and management of generative AI is the sole proprietary of the private sector. Does it mean that the government responsibility is being gradually handed down to the private sector as the use of generative AI will be licensed, monitored and controlled by its developers? There is already substantial influence of the private sector in governance through private sector lobby and through public-private partnership. Is it the realisation of what Ronald Regan said during his inaugural address in 1981 that ‘government is not the solution to our problem, government is the problem’, which puffed like a spring breeze in the ears of the private sector executives?
The generative AI has exited many but some also expressed concerns and fears. The biggest fear is the dramatic reduction in the human element in our day-to-day decision-making affairs affecting people. The potential lack of sympathy and empathy in the decision-making process by this technology could treat people like lifeless robots. Can we totally surrender human intelligence to artificial intelligence? One may accept or deny, all governments are linked to capitalism one way or the other, whose interests are driven purely by profit not so much by service. What will be the impact of this technology on human civilisation which is devoid of empathy and sympathy? The application of generative AI will be much more than automation.
Are we becoming illiterate with more education?
There are an uncountable number of experts in all academic fields. Every year thousands of patents are filed for new discoveries and innovations. But when it comes to art and science of humanity, our attitudes and behaviours appear inexplicably dumb. Generative AI is a product of highly intelligent people but its application in governance without a shred of compassion and empathy will be contradictory to human intelligence. Almost all countries have adapted some form of capitalist economy including the People's Republic of China. Capitalism by nature is autocratic, application of degenerative AI will make the entire governance system dictatorial with a sprinkle of democracy-like sounding clauses here and there. Can we afford to leave the fate of hundreds of millions, perhaps billions, to algorithms?
Certain aspects of governance may change depending on the ideology of the ruling political party which could change with every election cycle. Regulating generative AI with different outlooks of governance with required transparency may prove to be difficult while maintaining trust and confidence of people which is already in short supply. There are already huge amounts of fake news and messages produced by rouge individuals or institutions on behalf of certain individuals, political parties or even governments. The generative AI administered governance has the potential to generate anything and everything fake or not to fend the system, perhaps dictated by the lobbyist. It will simply be alternate facts. The application of this technology in certain aspects of governance which requires human touch will make people feel like dealing with black boxes. The general public may be ready or not, tech giants appear ready to take on the realms of public administration with the introduction of generative AI.
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