Adoption of artificial intelligence in public administration to combat corruption (AI-PACOR) (N5-0457)
Head of the research team: prof. dr. Aleksander Aristovnik
Improving public integrity by increasing transparency and accountability might be significantly strengthened through the deployment of artificialintelligence (AI). AI offers new possibilities for enhancing governance by detecting irregularities, reducing human bias in decision-making, andimproving oversight mechanisms. While AI is increasingly used in various private sector applications, its potential in public administration remainsunderexplored. Research on AI usage, its benefits, and its associated risks in public administration is still scarce, particularly regarding empiricalstudies on its impact on integrity and anti-corruption efforts. The AI-PACOR project seeks to bridge this gap by investigating how AI implementationcan contribute to seizing irregularities and combating corruption within local governments. By leveraging innovation diffusion theory, this project willanalyze AI adoption trends, readiness levels, and key influencing factors. Empirical research will be conducted through surveys with public officialsfrom local governments in Croatia and Slovenia, supplemented by secondary data analysis and interviews with relevant stakeholders. This cross-country comparison will provide insights into the challenges and opportunities of AI adoption in governance, identifying barriers and enablers thatcould influence its success. The study will also examine AI-driven interventions that can strengthen transparency and accountability, ultimatelyfostering public trust in institutions. AI-PACOR’s findings will serve as a foundation for developing practical tools and frameworks to ensure theresponsible integration of AI into public administration, contributing to broader discussions on digital governance and institutional integrity.
Accordingly, the AI-PACOR project will follow the following five objectives:
• O1 Assess the AI usage, intention to use, AI readiness, and factors of AI adoption within (local) public administration in Croatia and Slovenia.
• O2 Analyse the AI’s potential in preventing and detecting irregularities and identified corruption risks in local government units in Croatia andSlovenia.
• O3 Identify specific AI-driven interventions that could improve transparency and accountability and strengthen anti-corruption measures in (local)public administration.
• O4 Develop and empirically test the model of AI adoption in public administration to seize irregularities and combat corruption.
• Q5 Raise awareness of the potential of AI technology in curbing corruption and develop policy recommendations to help design AI-driven anti-corruption frameworks in public administration in Croatia, Slovenia, and beyond.
The AI-PACOR project will contribute valuable empirical insights into AI’s role in enhancing integrity within public administration. The project’soutcomes will not only include a validated analytical tool for assessing AI adoption but also a tested model applicable in different organizational andnational contexts. By addressing AI readiness and adoption barriers, this study will provide policymakers with concrete recommendations fordeveloping regulatory frameworks that ensure AI’s ethical and effective deployment in governance. The research findings will be widelydisseminated through academic journals, conferences, and policy briefings while engaging government agencies, local officials, and digitalgovernance experts to foster knowledge exchange and AI-driven innovations in public administration. Through collaboration between Croatia andSlovenia, the project will provide comparative insights that can inform broader regional and international efforts to integrate AI into governance. Byadvancing the understanding of AI’s capabilities and risks in public administration, AI-PACOR aims to foster responsible digital transformation,strengthen public trust in institutions, and contribute to the global discourse on AI-driven governance reforms.
Duration (from/to):
1.3.2026 – 28.2.2029
Contracting Authority:
Slovenian Research and Innovation Agency
Financing:
The project is being financed with 1198 yearly hours (A price category) for 36 months.
