Harnessing the Power of AI to Transform Public Sector

As adoption rate for technology increases across different industries and sectors, smart organizations continue to leverage on AI for faster processes and cost-effective business operations.

Government can also harness the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to effectively deliver basic goods, services and programs to its citizen through a dynamic and tech-enabled public sector.

Among other benefits, AI can help public sector automate routine processes, reduce time spent on repetitive tasks, contain costs, increase operational efficiency, improve service delivery and drive effective engagement of citizenry across all levels of government- local, provincial, state or national.

Here are top 8 applications of AI in the public sector:

 1. Education:

AI systems can be used to digitize textbooks as well as create customized books, audio books, video and illustrative lessons for specific subjects for students.

A Chatbot-powered online library can be launched to provide mobile access and deliver content and resources to students and educators.

Machine learning can help to personalize lessons for students as well as recommend well-suited courses in line with desired career path.

AI technology can be used across all levels of education system to analyse areas of improvement for students, recommend learning module, schedule for online classes, track self-paced learning progress, evaluate and assess learning outcomes and deliver personalized learning experiences for students and teachers.

 2. Agriculture:

AI-enabled applications can promptly identify and prevent soil defects, plant pests and diseases, improve speed and accuracy of planting and crop management, predict crop yields and forecast climate change.

AI technology can assist farmers to analyse and better understand data insights such as temperature, soil condition, wind speed, water usage and solar radiation.

AI agricultural bots can help with harvesting, weed control and spraying of herbicides. Hence, increasing crop productivity and crop harvesting at a faster pace and higher volume than human workers.

AI-empowered autonomous tractors can help to optimize farm operations and increase efficiency.

3. Healthcare:

AI programs can help with diagnosis processes, treatment protocol development, drug research & development, personalized medicine, and patient monitoring and care.

AI-powered chatbots can review patient’s symptoms, prioritize patient illness/injury, track hospital waiting time and recommend virtual check-in or physical visit with a health professional. 

AI-led deep learning platform can analyse huge and unstructured medical data and provide robust insight into patient’s health issues.

 4. Security:

Robotic birds or drone technology used for monitoring and surveillance can be deployed to monitor, detect and prevent crimes and insurgency across neighbourhoods and borders.

AI technology with its predictive analysis can be used to predict the likelihood of individuals committing violence or becoming victims of crime.

Law enforcement officers can use AI-enabled body cameras or wearables such as ‘smart glasses’ equipped with facial recognition software to scan faces, search for potential criminals or missing persons and detect suspicious movements or abandoned objects.

 5. Emergency Response:

AI-powered chatbots can be used to respond, in real time, to emergency calls, perform data fusion, prioritize information overload and alert relevant agencies for prompt intervention.

The AI Security camera technology can be installed in strategic locations to monitor activities, activate SOS call in case of emergency and deliver instructions to paramedics on how to respond.

In cases of fire or natural disaster, robots, drones and sensors can be deployed to provide intelligent and precise information on magnitude of damage and help first responders to find trapped victims.

AI-based media monitoring and listening tools can help monitor and analyse social media channels for quick notification of emergency situation.

 6. Traffic Control:

AI tool, with its machine learning capability, can be deployed to monitor traffic patterns, predict traffic congestions and road accidents and recommend free and safer route for commuters.

AI Cameras and sensors can read licence plates and take pictures of traffic offenders in a bid to reinforce traffic laws.

AI technology can collect and synchronize traffic data in connection with traffic lights across the city. This will enhance effective traffic control based on real-time scenario.

 7. Infrastructure:

AI can be used to conduct regular checks and anticipate maintenance or replacement needs for public infrastructures.

Super intelligent robots or ROVs (Remotely Operated Vehicles) can be deployed to inspect underwater or submerged infrastructures such as pipes, cables, optic fibres, bridge foundations.

AI robots, when equipped with sonar and custom sensors, can process acoustic data sounds to identify and detect leaks or bursts in pipes.

Autonomous aerial vehicles and AI drones can be used to monitor and inspect buildings, roads, dams, bridges and railways, hence, minimizing the need for human inspection.

 8. Governance:

Chatbots can be deployed to handle administrative and repetitive processes, interact with citizens and provide answers to frequently asked questions across different government institutions.

AI-technology can be used in social media listening to collect information, feel the pulse of the public and get feedback on government-related issues and environmental issues for quick intervention.

AI algorithm can help to understand huge and unstructured data generated from different sectors and formulate expectations and trends for effective economic planning and forecasting.

Interactive AI platforms can help simplify and ensure seamless financial/commercial transactions with government agencies.

?Conclusion

As technology becomes a critical success driver of quality, reliable and prompt service, government should embrace AI to deliver effective, inclusive and value-added services to its citizen across all publicly funded agencies and institutions