How can AI be used to better support policy, public services and decision-making?

AI can be used in government to better support policy, make public services more accessible and improve decision-making. Its greatest value is not replacing civil servants or public leaders, but helping them find, organize and analyze information faster.

In policy development, AI can help summarize large amounts of information. Examples include research reports, parliamentary documents, policy papers, consultation responses, case law, evaluations, implementation data and signals from society. AI can identify themes, structure arguments, create scenarios and compare policy options. This helps policymakers see more quickly which choices are possible, which risks exist and which groups may be affected. Political and administrative judgment remains human.

In public services, AI can guide residents, entrepreneurs and civil-society organizations to the right information faster. An AI assistant can answer questions about schemes, permits, subsidies, taxes, objection procedures or local services. AI can also help make letters, forms and websites easier to understand. Government language is often difficult for many people. AI can rewrite texts in plain language, create summaries and provide step-by-step explanations.

In decision-making, AI can help prepare case files, find relevant rules, identify comparable situations and flag risks. This can make decisions more consistent and better documented. At the same time, it must remain clear that AI supports decisions and does not independently decide on rights, obligations or access to services. Especially in government decisions, explainability, legal protection and human responsibility are essential.

AI can also support internal work. Civil servants can use AI to summarize meetings, search policy documents, draft responses, compare documents and make knowledge available faster. This reduces administrative pressure and creates more time for analysis, implementation and contact with citizens.

Government must use AI carefully. Public values such as transparency, proportionality, privacy, non-discrimination, security and accountability must be central. Citizens must be able to understand when AI is used, which data is processed and where they can go with questions or objections.

Robbert van Empel helps government organizations, leaders and professionals understand what AI means for policy, public services and public responsibility. As an AI speaker, futurist and author of De Grote Verandering and Vraag het AI / Ask AI, he shows how government can use AI in practical ways without losing trust, rule of law and human judgment.