The Use of Artificial Neural Networks in the Public Sector

Abstract

Artificial intelligence (AI) is an extensive scientific field, part of which is the concept of deep learning, belonging to broader family of machine learning (ML) methods, based on artificial neural networks (ANNs). ANNs are active since the 1940s and are applied in many fields. There have been actions around the world for the digital transformation of the public sector and the use of new innovative technologies, but the trajectory and degree of adoption of artificial intelligence technologies in the public sector have been unsatisfactory. Similar issues must be handled, and these problems must be classified. In the present work, preparatory searches were made on Scopus and IEEE bibliographic databases in order to obtain information for the progress of the adoption of ANNs in the public sector starting from the year 2019. Then, a systematic review of published scientific articles was conducted using keywords. Among the 2412 results returned by the search and the application of the selection/rejection criteria, 10 articles were chosen for analysis. The conclusion that emerged after reading the articles was that while the scientific community has a lot of suggestions and ideas for the implementation of ANNs and their financial effects, in practice, there is no appropriate use of them in the public sector. Occasionally, there are cases of implementation funded by state or non-state bodies without a systematic application and utilization of these technologies. The ways and methods of practical application are not further specified, so there are no indications for the systematic application of specialized deep learning techniques and ANNs. The legal framework for the development of artificial intelligence applications, at least in the European Union (EU), is under design, like the necessary ISO standards from an international perspective, and the economic impact of the most recent AI-based technologies has not been fully assessed.