The reflection of Artificial Intelligence on the public sector: Great hopes, deep contradictions

I have carefully examined the recently published "Artificial Intelligence Studies in the Public Sector" report. This comprehensive document, which brings together the projects Turkey has carried out with public institutions in the field of artificial intelligence (AI), brings with it many critical questions along with great goals. While the efforts of public institutions to shape the future with AI in digital transformation are commendable, it is necessary to think about the feasibility of what is being done in this process and its impact on citizens.

More Than Just a Strategy Document?

Although the ambitious goals set by the 2021-2025 National Artificial Intelligence Strategy Document are promising, they contain significant problems in terms of implementation. How realistic can the claim of entering the top 20 countries by 2025 be, given chronic problems such as resource insufficiency, lack of technical capacity, and bureaucratic sluggishness? Is this strategy document more of a PR campaign, or is it a roadmap truly supported by concrete steps?

The Contradiction Between Artificial Intelligence and a Human-Centered Approach

How much does the "human-centered approach" frequently emphasized in the report find a response in the field? While transparency and accountability are mentioned, especially in algorithmic decision-making processes, the experiences citizens have with these systems in practice contain major contradictions. Information regarding the implementation of AI-based audits in tax offices was conveyed to me at the Informatics Council I attended recently. The results of this system have turned into an ordeal that forces thousands of citizens to spend hours "explaining themselves" to officials to file declarations. According to information I received from the inside, this AI system performs analysis based on exactly 453 parameters, and they boast about this. However, the suffering endured by the citizen does not create a situation to be proud of. In this process, the "misunderstandings" of AI make already complex tax processes even more convoluted.

Investment in Education and Workforce: Is It Enough?

It is stated that investment in human resources is necessary for AI applications to be successful. However, how far behind is the vision drawn by the report when it comes to training and capacity-building efforts for public personnel? Considering issues such as the level of adaptation of our education system to technology and digital inequality, it would not be wrong to say that achieving these goals is not possible in the short term.

Sustainability or Showmanship?

Although examples such as TÜRKPATENT's AI-based patent analysis project seem positive in terms of the breakthroughs our country has made in this field, it is debatable whether these projects truly provide social benefit. Are these types of projects show projects carried out to be in the international showcase, or are they innovations that touch the daily lives of the public?

Social Impact and Ethical Dilemmas

It has been clearly stated that AI technologies should be shaped around the principles of justice and impartiality. However, in a country like Turkey, where existing inequalities are already deep, the possibility that these technologies will further exacerbate existing problems cannot be ignored. For example, how much is the impartiality of algorithms audited? According to what standards is the data processed? Are ethical principles remaining in the shadow of political priorities?

Conclusion: Hope and Doubt

Although this report on the public use of AI in Turkey is full of great promises, it contains serious deficiencies in terms of content depth and implementation capacity. The report is more of a declaration of good intentions than a guide. However, good intentions are not enough in a complex and sensitive field like artificial intelligence. For technology to serve the public, it must first earn the public's trust. In particular, some problems in tax offices are of a nature that could shake confidence in AI projects.

The future will be shaped by those who want not just to use technology, but to give it meaning. In this context, moving forward while maintaining a critical perspective will be an important milestone in Turkey's technology journey.