Responsible AI for Public Evaluation

Governments are using Artificial intelligence (AI) to reshape how they operate, which offers unprecedented opportunities to improve decision-making, enhance transparency, and deliver better outcomes for the public.

This new report, Responsible AI for Public Evaluation: Harnessing AI to Strengthen Public Sector Decisions, by Daniel F. Fonner of Southern Methodist University, provides a timely and practical framework for integrating AI into an important function of government: program evaluation and performance auditing. The author demonstrates how AI can serve as a tool to support— not replace—human judgment, enabling agencies to assess programs more effectively and responsibly to build trust.

Using a rigorous analytical framework and an applied case study, this report illustrates how public administrators can leverage AI responsibly to identify insights, improve efficiency, and strengthen evidence-based decisionmaking. The author also offers actionable recommendations for embedding sound AI practices into existing governance frameworks, ensuring that technology serves the public good.

This report extends the IBM Center’s commitment to exploring the intersection of AI and program evaluation. It builds on prior Center publications such as AI in State Government: Balancing Innovation, Efficiency, and Risk, a report on responsible GenAI adoption; GenAI and the Future of Government Work, which explores the transformative potential of GenAI in reshaping the workforce; Navigating Generative AI in Government, which outlines strategic pathways for integrating GenAI into public service; and Digital Modernization for Government: An Implementation Framework, which helps to create an evidence-based framework for digital modernization.

As governments navigate the complexities of AI adoption, this report serves as a guide for leaders committed to responsible innovation. By doing so, agencies can unlock the benefits of advanced technologies while mitigating risk.