Democratizing AI in public administration: improving equity through maximum feasible participation

Abstract In an era defined by the global surge in the adoption of AI-enabled technologies within public administration, the promises of efficiency and progress are being overshadowed by instances of deepening social inequality, particularly among vulnerable populations. To address this issue, we argue that democratizing AI is a pivotal step toward fostering trust, equity, and fairness within our societies. This article navigates the existing debates surrounding AI democratization but also endeavors to revive and adapt the historical social justice framework, maximum feasible participation, for contemporary participatory applications in deploying AI-enabled technologies in public administration. In our exploration of the multifaceted dimensions of AI’s impact on public administration, we provide a roadmap that can lead beyond rhetoric to practical solutions in the integration of AI in public administration.