https://studiegids.vu.nl/en/courses/2024-2025/S_AIGKnowledge and understanding – The student has acquired knowledge and understanding of: 1. core debates, approaches, concepts and theories within the field of governance in relation to the rise of artificial intelligence and digital technologies in government; 2. the most important societal developments affecting public governance pertaining to the rise of artificial intelligence and digital technologies. Skills – The student has acquired the skills to: 3. critically reflect on the ethical and normative challenges involved in the responsible deployment of new technologies and formulate concrete solutions; 4. analyse real life problems in various policy sectors arising in relation to the use of AI and digital technologies in government. Attitude – The student displays: 5. a reflective and analytical attitude in relation to core debates and the use of AI and digital technologies in government.Algorithms and automation shape public administration, public sector decision-making and the delivery of public services in fundamental ways. Artificial intelligence algorithms are increasingly relied upon in high-stakes public domains, ranging from predictive policing or criminal justice to the automation of the welfare state. In this course, students learn to critically and analytically reflect on the transformation the public sector is undergoing in this context ranging from: promises and pitfalls of the reliance on AI and digital technologies in the public sector; implications thereof for governmental processes, structures, and routines; citizen-state interactions; implications for public values (accountability, transparency); and issues of bias, discrimination and/or digital inclusion/exclusion. The course incorporates both core theoretical debates related to these issues as well as real-life cases pertaining to algorithm use in public sectors.Lectures (mandatory attendance).Written assignments and final exam.To be announced in the course manual (see CANVAS).