Trans-European Dialogue 2027

IIAS Panel explored potential and pitfalls of Artificial Intelligence in Public Administration at 2023 ASPA Conference

Diogo Pereira,

The IIAS Panel at the 2023 ASPA Annual Conference, entitled "AI-Powered Governance: Potential and Pitfalls of Artificial Intelligence in Public Administration," brought together experts in the field of public administration to discuss the challenges and opportunities presented by artificial intelligence. The panel was derived from IIAS conferences held in 2022 and 2023, where the speakers actively participated in various tracks and sessions related to AI and digital transformation.

Dr. Gabriella Racca chaired tracks on digital transformation and AI at both conferences and focused on the challenges of digital transition, the effective use of digital platforms in cross-border procurement, and future ideas and collaboration opportunities. Dr. Steve Troupin questioned whether AI like ChatGPT can be trusted to do our job, referencing a growing body of papers presented at IIAS conferences on the topic. Finally, Dr. Diogo Pereira presented on "The Opportunities and Challenges of Artificial Intelligence in Public Governance," which was based on an interview he conducted with ChatGPT on the topic.

Overall, the panel explored the potential of AI to transform the way public services are delivered and administered, while also addressing the challenges and pitfalls that AI presents. As AI continues to play an increasingly important role in public administration, it is essential to consider both its potential and limitations to ensure effective and responsible governance.

IIAS is committed to promoting a better understanding of the potential and pitfalls of AI in public administration. As such, we will continue to discuss this topic in various platforms and formats, including conferences, live events, and publications. We invite all interested parties to stay tuned to our news on social media to learn more about our ongoing efforts to explore AI in public administration.

Public administration and management research has long drawn most of its ideas from Western, industrialised democracies. Yet Asia and the Global South have become major sites of administrative change, with large-scale reforms, fast-moving technology and some of the most inventive experiments in governance. Research from these regions has grown accordingly, but it is still often used to illustrate or apply theories made elsewhere, rather than to produce new ones.

This special issue of Public Management Review aims to change that. It invites authors to treat practice in Asia and the Global South as a starting point for theory: to test, question or extend established approaches, and to propose new concepts and explanations. It does not look for a single theory of these regions, which are far too diverse for that, but for context-sensitive contributions that also say something useful for policy and practice.

ASPA and EGPA call for papers | New Orleans, April 12-13, 2027 | Deadline: November 30, 2026

As democratic institutions face mounting pressure worldwide, public administrators are increasingly asked to spell out the role of their field in protecting and improving democratic systems. The American Society for Public Administration (ASPA) and the European Group for Public Administration (EGPA) are responding with the 2027 Transatlantic Dialogue (TAD), held alongside ASPA’s Annual Conference.

The theme is The Role of Public Policy and Administration in Shaping Democracy and Promoting the Resilience of Democratic Norms and Institutions.

From 12 to 16 October 2026, the International Association of Schools and Institutes of Administration (IASIA) held its Annual Conference in Athens, hosted by EKDDA, the National Centre for Public Administration and Local Government. Under the theme “Rethinking Governance for a Changing World”, the conference gathered 400 delegates from 57 countries and marked the 65th anniversary of the association. Athens was a conference grounded by learning and history but also new projects and connexions.

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