Artificial Intelligence and Open Government:
Local Perspectives

As local governments embrace digital transformationGovernments are working to increase access to and quality of government services, improve transparency, and create opportunities for participation by using information and communications technologies.... More, they stand at the forefront of addressing critical challenges in digital governanceAs evolving technologies present new opportunities for governments and citizens to advance openness and accountability, OGP participating governments are working to create policies that deal with the ... More. These challenges involve managing both the opportunities and risks associated with using technology to enhance public services and democratic engagement. Increasingly, local governments are adopting artificial intelligence (AI) to achieve benefits such as greater efficiency, cost savings, improved decision-making, and better services. AI can also strengthen transparencyAccording to OGP’s Articles of Governance, transparency occurs when “government-held information (including on activities and decisions) is open, comprehensive, timely, freely available to the pub... More, participation, and accountability.

At the same time, local governments must carefully assess the risks and challenges associated with the safe and responsible adoption of AI. They must ensure that their actions reinforce, rather than undermine, the principles of open government.

This document explores how local governments can embed open government in their AI and digital governance policies, based on insights from civil society and six OGP Local members: Austin, Bogotá, Buenos Aires, Paris, Plateau, and Scotland.