The Impact of AI and Big Data on Public Administration and Local Government

Prof Zwelinzima Ndevu explores how the pandemic has accelerated the adoption of AI and Big Data in the public sector, particularly in local government.

Discussions about e-governance and utilising technology positively in the public sector have occurred previously, but the pandemic presented an opportunity for widespread adoption.

Benefits of this shift include electronic invoicing, improved communication with communities, and analysing data from various government institutions to identify challenges and offer assistance.

Technology use provides opportunities for intervention in various crises, such as analysing pandemic outbreak data and implementing preventative measures.

He emphasises the importance of further investing in technology to mitigate processes during crises and improve overall efficiency in the public sector.