Government Tomorrow Forum launches its Government Science Hub in New York, uniting the City’s leadership with international experts and policymakers in preparation of a global research involving leading universities on AI-powered cities and governments

AI systems require a lot of data to be able to develop their capabilities. Systems are fed with data from open sources, however, it includes private information too. How governments can address these issues and build public trust? What guidelines and regulations should governments put in place?

Former Prime Minister of Estonia, now Chairman of the Board of AuVe Tech (leading autonomous bus producer), Taavi Rõivas discusses with Government Tomorrow Forum the main challenges of modern-day mobility. He argues that private-led innovation comes first and regulations must follow, and that the global shift away from privately owned cars is all but inevitable.

In the interview, Anna-Kaisa Ikonen elaborates on the varying paces of technology adoption across different sectors. She notes that the private sector often adopts technology rapidly due to market pressures, while national governments proceed more cautiously, given the need for thorough testing and regulation. Local governments, on the other hand, face a balance between direct public interaction and constraints like budget and expertise. Ikonen emphasizes the importance of cross-sector collaboration for effective technology integration.

Building on the Lab discussion, GTF proposes a specific approach to adopting AI by governments of all levels — the Four E-Pillars. The Four E-Pillars — namely, Enable, Embrace, Encourage, and Empower — are an element of a possible universal response to these weaknesses. As a general methodology, they can inspire practical solutions on all levels, from municipal to national.

In the Interview, Leonardo Quattrucci discusses the challenges and strategies surrounding the implementation of AI in government. He emphasizes that AI adoption in the public sector is more about organizational change than technology itself.

Sandro Saitta, CEO and founder of viadata, lecturer at Business School Lausanne and HEC Lausanne, and a co-founder of the Swiss Association of Analytics, discusses AI adoption with the Government Tomorrow Forum’s Technologies for Governments Lab.

Experts discussed how AI technologies could revolutionize everything from public service delivery to urban planning. A notable emphasis was placed on the need for governments to not only understand AI's capabilities but also to integrate these technologies thoughtfully and ethically into their operations.

“Everyone must play a role, but at the end of the day, everybody turns to the governments for solutions because through power and reach, it is they who are responsible for maintaining stability and ensuring growth and development.”