AI in Public Budgeting: From Academic Ideas to Practical Solutions

• In Event: Insights on Artificial Intelligence in Government

Abstract

While artificial intelligence (AI) offers significant opportunities to enhance public administration systems, its introduction into government processes is often challenging due to rigid structures, insufficient funding, and outdated processes. This project explores the potential benefits and challenges of introducing AI into a critical government system: the budget formulation process. The complexity and tight timelines of budgeting processes make them ideal for AI solutions that can manage data, streamline workflows, and improve decision-making accuracy. Utilizing the Technology-Organization-Environment (TOE) framework and through interviews with AI experts and government officials, this study addresses two key questions: 1) What type of public budgeting processes and challenges are the best fit to be addressed through AI? And 2) How would AI solutions for public budgeting look in practice? This research contributes to the literature by offering insights into AI's role in public budgeting and provides practitioners with actionable strategies for AI adoption.

Authors

• Juan Pablo Martinez Guzman, University of Maryland, College Park
  Presenting Author

• Salman Alam, University of Maryland, College Park
  Non-Presenting Co-Author