Date

4-7-2026

Department

Helms School of Government

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy in Public Administration (PhD)

Chair

James Cockerham

Keywords

artificial intelligence, public administration, ethical guidelines, transparency, accountability, public trust, bias, privacy, public value, representative bureaucracy

Disciplines

Public Affairs, Public Policy and Public Administration

Abstract

Integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into public administration offers opportunities to improve efficiency and decision-making. However, it also poses significant ethical challenges, such as bias, transparency, and accountability, which directly affect public trust. While previous studies have examined the technical and ethical aspects of AI, there is still a gap in understanding how these issues impact public perception and the effectiveness of AI-driven government services. This dissertation addresses this gap by exploring public perceptions of AI use in government, focusing on ethical concerns and their link to trust. It uses a quantitative survey to analyze participant responses, identifying patterns and trends related to bias, transparency, and accountability, as well as broader issues of public value and representation in AI systems, and their implications for ethical governance. Through descriptive and inferential statistical analyses, this research enhances theoretical understanding of ethical AI in public administration and provides practical recommendations for policymakers. The findings aim to shed light on the role of public trust in fostering transparency, inclusivity, and accountability in AI-enabled government operations.

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