Analysis of the perception of digital government and artificial intelligence in the public sector in Jalisco, Mexico
| Published date | 01 December 2023 |
| DOI | http://doi.org/10.1177/00208523231164587 |
| Author | Edgar A. Ruvalcaba-Gomez,Javier Cifuentes-Faura |
| Date | 01 December 2023 |
| Subject Matter | Articles |
Analysis of the perception
of digital government and
artificial intelligence in the
public sector in Jalisco,
Mexico
Edgar A. Ruvalcaba-Gomez
Department of Public Policy, University Center for Economic
and Administrative Sciences (CUCEA), University of
Guadalajara, México
Javier Cifuentes-Faura
Department of Financial Economics and Accounting, Faculty of
Economics and Business, University of Murcia, Spain
Abstract
The advancement and continuous development of information and communication tech-
nologies highlights the importance of analysing and monitoring the development and cap-
abilities of governments to use and exploit the potential of new technologies. Digital
government and artificial intelligence in the public sector are two trends associated
with technological development. This research conducts an analysis of these elements
from the perspective of public officials by conducting a factor analysis. The study is
based on a survey administered to civil servants in the state of Jalisco in Mexico. An ana-
lysis was made of their training and knowledge of these aspects and whether there are
significant differences according to gender, age, level of studies, area of knowledge and
place of work. The results obtained show divergences and coincidences between vari-
ables and factors. The findings are useful as a reference for the government of Jalisco
to promote measures aimed at improving the situation of digital government and artifi-
cial intelligence in the short to medium term, in order to optimize administrative
management.
Corresponding author:
Javier Cifuentes-Faura, Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Murcia, Campus Universitario, s/n,
30100 Murcia, Spain.
Email: javier.cifuentes@um.es
Article
International
Review of
Administrative
Sciences
International Review of Administrative
Sciences
2023, Vol. 89(4) 1203–1222
© The Author(s) 2023
Article reuse guidelines:
sagepub.com/journals-permissions
DOI: 10.1177/00208523231164587
journals.sagepub.com/home/ras
Points for practitioners
•Knowing the perspective of public officials on digital government and artificial intel-
ligence is important to evaluate and design a digital strategy in governments.
•Public officials in charge of technology areas in governments need constant training on
emerging technological tools, mainly those related to artificial intelligence.
•There is a lack of knowledge about the use and implications of artificial intelligence in
the public sector by public servants.
•Data interoperability and coordination between government agencies are relevant to
the development of digital government.
Keywords
Digital government, artificial intelligence, public sector, public administration, Mexico
Introduction
The use of information and communication technologies (ICT) in the public sector is
known as digital government or e-government and has been an obligatory development
in the modernization and administrative reform of the state. Digital government is the
delivery of government services and information to citizens by digital means.
However, digital government is not just about digitizing bureaucracy, but its scope has
a direct impact with strategies that bring public value and transform the government–
citizen relationship. The services offered to citizens through new technologies imply
organizational changes within public administrations, but also changes in the relationship
between government and other social sectors, such as the private sector, non-
governmental organizations, universities and citizens in general.
On the other hand, the development of artificial intelligence (AI) is emerging as the
theme that will mark the advance of the fourth industrial revolution. AI is currently the
big topic among the community of technology developers due to its disruptive capacity
and social implications. It is important to mention that AI is not a topic alien to the public
sector, but rather a major trend in which developed countries are already immersed.
Therefore, it is important to start analysing how government policies and actions are
using AI and algorithms within the public sector and to analyse how governments in
Mexico and Jalisco are understanding and adopting them.
To demonstrate some data on ICT access and use in Mexico, it is pertinent to refer to
the National Survey on the Availability and Use of Information Technologies in
Households (ENDUTIH) in its 2020 edition. This survey aims to obtain information
on the use and availability of ICTs in households and their use by individuals in
Mexico. It can be used to generate statistical information to support public policy decision
making in Mexico, hence its importance. The results indicate that there are 84.1 million
internet users in Mexico. This figure reveals an increase of 1.9 percentage points over that
1204 International Review of Administrative Sciences 89(4)
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