International Forum on Digital Public Administration and Business Conditions

Evgeny Styrin, Head of the International Laboratory for Digital Transformation in Public Administration at the HSE University attended the International Forum held in Wuhan, Hubei, China, at Huazhong University of Science and Technology in late July. 

He presented a talk on the topic of "Digital Trust as a Key Factor in Implementing a Data-Driven Public Administration System." In his presentation, the speaker emphasized that, no matter how advanced the technological aspects of a government data management system may be, without the trust of citizens and businesses in it, fruitful collaboration, particularly in terms of data exchange and joint work, is truly impossible.

In fact, working with artificial intelligence technologies also relies on data that underlies decision-making algorithms and neural networks. The forum participants supported the speaker's approach and noted the importance of trust in the context of different countries - China, Russia, the Netherlands, or the European Union as a whole - at first glance. The speaker introduced participants to recent developments in national data platforms in Russia and outlined trends in the sharing and supply of data to all interested parties. A serious effect of data is achieved through deep and well-structured cooperation between state, business, and citizens. Each party may not have all the necessary skills individually.. However, the organization of the exchange and integration of data management skills for countries such as Russia and China are supported by authorities and academic communities, who are actively engaged in developing solutions in the fields of data management, resource sharing, and training. These trends have been confirmed, regardless of the specific context of the countries where the forum participants conduct their research.

Professor Zhang Yi, Dean of the Huazhong University's School of Public Administration, emphasized the need to adapt public administration models in order to harness the potential of digital technologies. He noted that the changing relationship between the state and businesses does not solely lie in the technological realm, but also affects social, historical and psychological aspects of interactions. These factors should be taken into consideration in new management models, he said. China is committed to accelerating innovation in both public administration and the business environment.

Within the framework of the forum, reports were made on the understanding of the boundaries and potential negative consequences of introducing artificial intelligence into public administration. The speakers emphasized that while the use of AI can have positive effects, it also requires new skills from civil servants who use these technologies. While AI is useful for routine tasks, it may not be as effective for non-routine tasks, which are still prevalent in public administration.

Digital platforms and their impact on citizens' lives have become a significant area of focus. Using transportation platforms as an example, we can see how governments can improve citizen loyalty by introducing fair regulation, transparency, and ease of use in public transportation, with a focus on environmental sustainability.

An important report was about the customer experience of citizens when using public services. The author proposed methods for calculating customer-centricity and the convenience of public services based on direct feedback from citizens. These methods were designed methodologically through focus groups and were adapted to the needs of government agencies.

In conclusion, the participants agreed that cross-cultural comparisons of research findings in the context of individual countries can contribute to the mutual enrichment of scientific knowledge about the challenges of digital transformation in public administration. Additionally, this topic was highlighted in the prestigious journal Public Administration Review (PAR).