This was the title of an expert dialogue on the use of artificial intelligence for the development of the public service – a scientific and practical conference with international participation – held on March 22, 2024. The event was initiated and organised by the High School, the National Agency of Ukraine on Civil Service and the State University of Zhytomyr Polytechnic.
“Today’s conference is a unique opportunity to discuss the challenges of safe use of artificial intelligence in the public interest,” said Yuliia Lykhach, Head of the High School and moderator of the conference, “The use of artificial intelligence algorithms means optimisation of management processes and a new quality of public services. This is a significant analytical support for strategic planning and forecasting, and assistance in responding to the strategic challenges facing Ukraine. The conference is attended by representatives of state authorities, local governments, experts, representatives from European countries, our international partners, whose professional experience is extremely valuable and, I am sure, will contribute to an interesting discussion and fruitful results.”
Opening the event, Nataliia Aliushyna, Head of the National Agency of Ukraine on Civil Service, stressed that it is important for the NAUCS to focus on communication with the scientific, expert and educational community. This is an opportunity to comprehensively address challenges in the public administration development system, coordinate the actions of participants and motivate them to achieve their goals. “Ukraine was ranked 60th out of 193 countries in terms of readiness to use artificial intelligence in the public sector,” Nataliia Aliushyna said. “In early 2024, the European Parliament approved a document on the rules for regulating artificial intelligence amid privacy and security risks. Civil service and public administration require the use of artificial intelligence algorithms to optimise management processes and provide new services to citizens. Therefore, it is important to join forces and learn how to respond to the challenges associated with the use of artificial intelligence in the professionalisation of the public service in compliance with the ethical component.”
“It is an extremely important event for us to become a platform for scientific discussion of this level,” said Viktor Yevdokymov, Rector of Zhytomyr Polytechnic State University, “For many years, our university has been providing educational and scientific training and advanced training in the field of Public Administration. The topic of using AI in public administration is very important in this context. For us, as a polytechnic university, the use of artificial intelligence, its impact on research and influence on the educational process are very relevant.”
Kateryna Levchenko, Government Commissioner for Gender Policy, in her opening remarks focused on the issue of ensuring gender equality in the use of artificial intelligence. “Gender equality in artificial intelligence is not only an ethical dimension, but also a key factor for an inclusive and fair future. Today, developers are faced with the task of developing AI algorithms and models that would not only perform functions efficiently but also not increase the existing gender inequality in society,” she said. “We are working to expand the scope of equal rights and opportunities in the field of digitalisation and artificial intelligence and propose to apply this principle both in the work of public authorities and in the implementation of educational programmes.
The participants were also greeted by Anatoliy Melnychenko, Vice-Rector of the National Technical University of Ukraine “Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute”, Oleh Novomlynets, Rector of the National University of Chernihiv Polytechnic, Andriy Stoyko, Head of the Sectoral Expert Council of the National Agency for Higher Education Quality Assurance in the field of Public Administration and Management, Natalia Shamrai, Director of the Centre for Administrative Services of the Kyiv City Council (Kyiv City State Administration), and other keynote speakers.
The conference continued with speeches by professional experts from the Centre for Strategic Communications and Information Security at the ICIP, the National Security and Defence Council, the Razumkov Ukrainian Centre for Economic and Political Studies, the Institute for Artificial Intelligence Problems of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, the State Emergency Service of Ukraine, the Yaroslav Mudryi National Law University, representatives of the international community from the Finnish Institute of Public Administration HAUS, the World Bank, the International Association InterRegioNovation, the Digital Governance Team of the SURGe project, etc.
In total, almost 2,000 people took part in the scientific and practical conference, which demonstrates the great interest in the topic and the relevance of AI in governance and public service.
The conference will result in a collection of thematic posters that will be used by the High School in the professional development of public servants and in the development and implementation of professional development programmes. The organisers believe that events of this level will undoubtedly facilitate the exchange of experience, establish partnerships and stimulate innovation in the field of public service professionalisation.
