Generating Value from Government Data Using AI: An Exploratory Study

Abstract

Open government data initiatives have gained popularity around the world. Artificial Intelligence (AI) has the potential to make better use of data. Combining the OGD and AI is crucial to generate more value from data. In this paper we investigate what kind of value was generated through AI and how. A context-input-process-output/outcome (CIPO) framework is developed to describe and compare three cases. The overview of cases shows the huge potential of AI, but it also suggests that AI is hardly used by the public to create value from open data. The objectives of the three cases are efficiency, innovation and crime prevention, whereas common open government objectives like transparency, accountability and participation are given less attention. By using AI, the risks of data privacy and arriving at biased or wrong conclusions become more prominent. With the rise of data collection from Internet of Things, complying with the 5-stars of Berners-Lee becomes more important. We recommend policy makers to stimulate AI projects contributing to the open government goals and ensure that open data meets the 5-star requirements.