Artificial intelligence in Brazilian public organizations: Heterogeneities and capacity in information technology

Abstract There is a growing debate about public organizations adopting artificial intelligence (AI), including its different technologies and techniques, as well as its effects on bureaucratic decisions. However, few studies have analyzed the characteristics associated with adopting these different types of AI technologies and techniques in the public sector. Furthermore, there is a gap in studies discussing AI adoption in the public sector in the Brazilian context. This article analyzes the AI technologies and techniques adopted by Brazilian governmental agencies and their association with characteristics related to information technology (IT) capabilities. Based on an analysis of microdata from the ICT Electronic Government 2021 Survey, this study shows that Brazilian government agencies have adopted AI technologies and techniques. However, this process is still restricted to only a few agencies. Furthermore, this process has been a heterogeneous among federal and state entities in the country and is associated with IT capacities in the public sector.