Revitalizing Trust with AI: Boosting Governance and Public Services 

Artificial intelligence is a priority for both citizens and policymakers as they navigate an evolving technological landscape. AI is emerging as a transformative tool for governments, addressing citizen frustrations with outdated systems and slow processes. By automating services such as tax inquiries, healthcare delivery, and passport renewals, AI enhances efficiency, reduces delays, and improves accessibility. However, successful implementation requires a careful balance of innovation, security, and global collaboration. Meridian convened a panel of private sector leaders and AI experts to delve into one of the central questions defining responsible AI use: Can Artificial Intelligence, in the right applications, help to repair distrust in government?  

The panel discussion began with a focus on the trust deficit in governments, as highlighted by the panel moderator Mr. Brandon Soloski, Senior Director of the Center for Corporate Diplomacy at the Meridian International Center. Trust in governments remains low, according to the Edelman Trust Barometer, 66% of global respondents believe that governments intentionally mislead citizens. Mr. Soloski emphasized the private sector’s growing role in rebuilding trust, as reflected in the Barometer, which ranks the private sector as the most trusted institution globally. Private sector leaders must proactively develop AI solutions that address real-world challenges—such as outdated systems in healthcare, agriculture, and justice—while ensuring transparency and ethical use. By fostering public-private partnerships, investing in open-source tools, and offering expertise in AI deployment, businesses can help governments scale innovation and rebuild societal trust. 

A central component of rebuilding trust in government, panelists highlighted AI’s transformative role in enhancing public sector efficiency. Examples of AI applications included automating tax inquiries, optimizing public expenditure, and modernizing healthcare systems to improve patient outcomes. Mr. Sarim Aziz, Director for Public Policy for South and Central Asia from Meta emphasized the importance of open-source AI for accelerating innovation and increasing accessibility, particularly for governments and startups. He also posited that democratic access to data and AI models were identified as a critical factor in fostering equitable advancements across sectors, especially in underserved regions. Mr. Matis Pellerin, Vice President for Global Government Affairs at Oracle also discussed the importance of sovereign AI systems, which enable governments to secure and control their data. He provided examples such as Oracle’s sovereign cloud infrastructure in Saudi Arabia, showcasing how data sovereignty can bolster trust and security. Leveraging AI to break down data silos within governments was another key theme, as this integration enhances decision-making and improves public service delivery. 

Without regulatory frameworks and harmonization, it is difficult to roll-out the responsible deployment of AI. Regulatory inconsistencies across borders increase costs and complicate compliance for enterprises. Ms. Lucia Russo, Economist and Policy Analyst in the OECD Digital Economy Policy Division, emphasized the need for harmonized, risk-based regulatory frameworks, aligning with OECD’s guidelines and G7 initiatives. She highlighted the OECD’s Incident Reporting Framework, which identifies risks and adapts regulations proactively to mitigate them. Mr. Aziz also added that many countries in the Asia-Pacific region are adopting principles-based regulatory approaches, fostering collaboration over regulation. Regulatory harmonization is vital for creating a conducive environment for AI innovation while avoiding fragmentation. 

The session also delved into public-private partnerships (PPPs) as a cornerstone for AI innovation in governance. While regulatory harmonization provides a framework for responsible AI, public-private partnerships enable practical implementation of these technologies in governance. Collaborative success stories demonstrated how the private sector helps scale AI solutions in healthcare and judicial systems. Mr. Aziz highlighted the role of startups and the private sector in driving innovation and addressing government-specific needs. These partnerships not only accelerate the development of AI-driven technological solutions but also facilitate knowledge transfer and capacity building within governments. Mr. Pellerin provided additional examples of AI applications in sectors like agriculture, justice, and social welfare, underscoring the potential for AI to revolutionize public services. 

Despite these opportunities, several challenges and risks remain. Public misunderstandings about AI’s capabilities and limitations may hinder adoption and contribute to mistrust. Data privacy regulations, while crucial for protecting individuals, often impede AI’s efficiency and innovation potential in government services. Additionally, fragmented regulatory frameworks pose operational challenges for global enterprises. Addressing these issues requires coordinated efforts from governments, private entities, and international organizations.  

To overcome these challenges and harness AI responsibly, several action items were identified. Educating governments on the benefits of open-source AI is crucial for innovation and accessibility. Public-private partnerships should be fostered to co-develop AI solutions tailored to government needs. Modernizing public services with AI platforms can significantly improve efficiency in healthcare delivery and emergency response systems. Artificial intelligence has a great capacity to serve and streamline everyday interactions with governments, and AI could mitigate this strained relationship and help restore public trust in the public sector.