The evolution of e-government toward smart governance and AI-based public policy support systems
Keywords:
Evolution, e-Government, Smart governance, AI, Public policyAbstract
This article analyzes the evolution of e-government toward smart government, focusing on the integration of Artificial Intelligence-Based Decision Support Systems (AI DSS) into public policy formulation and government service delivery. This article employs an explanatory, sequential mixed-methods approach that combines bibliometric analysis and AI-based quantitative modeling. This research employs qualitative methods, with bibliometric analysis to map trends and thematic clusters in global research on e-government, e-governance, and AI in the public sector. Furthermore, qualitative analysis was conducted using NVivo to explore conceptual patterns through visualization of items clustered by coding similarity, treemaps, and word clouds. This approach allows for the identification of dominant themes, conceptual linkages, and paradigm shifts in the literature. The results indicate that e-government employs a digital administration approach focused on public services and bureaucratic efficiency, while e-governance advances in policy, management, and public participation. However, the integration of AI into public policy decision-making processes remains limited and fragmented. AI has been recognized as a crucial technological capability, but it has not yet been institutionalized as a governance intelligence layer within the public policy cycle. This situation indicates that AI-based smart governance is still in its developmental stage and has not yet been fully realized. This research contributes by proposing a conceptual framework that positions AI-based decision support systems as a mediating mechanism between e-governance and smart governance. By integrating technological intelligence into governance processes and institutions, this research provides a more comprehensive understanding of how smart governance can be operationalized in public policy.
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