Future of Public Sector Work is a new report released by the CITRIS Policy Lab with support from Microsoft.
Facing rising workload demands, labor shortages, and budget constraints, the public sector is increasingly turning to emerging technologies, such as machine learning–powered decision systems and robotic process automation, to support productivity. As the public sector increasingly adopts emerging technologies, it’s critical to ensure that efficiency and effectiveness priorities do not outweigh equity.
With support from Microsoft, the CITRIS Policy Lab has released the Future of Public Sector Work report investigating the use of emerging technologies, especially AI, in three public sectors: K-12 education, social services, and law enforcement. Because the public sector has an obligation to ensure it operates in the public interest, the report not only investigates the effects of emerging technologies on the efficiency and effectiveness of public sector workers but also on equity (i.e., ensuring fairness and accountability) for those served. For each sector, we present examples of ways emerging technologies are being implemented to support these goals and provide specific technology and policy recommendations intended to maximize benefits for both workers and the public.
The CITRIS Policy Lab supports interdisciplinary research, education, and thought leadership to address core questions regarding the role of formal and informal regulation in promoting innovation and amplifying its positive effects on society. For any questions about the report or the work of the CITRIS Policy Lab, please contact Dr. Brandie Nonnecke (nonnecke@berkeley.edu)