Science & Tech · AI · 17 hrs ago
AI could help governments turn public input into better services
Beth Simone Noveck said AI could help governments improve public services at a conference at Mexico’s National Autonomous University (UNAM).
Governments often receive more public comments and proposals than they can review and use.
AI tools can sort large volumes of input, find common concerns and help officials set priorities.
In 2007, a US government initiative received about 125,000 public proposals in one week, but officials lacked the time and tools to make full use of them.
After California wildfires, AI helped organize residents’ suggestions into 19 policy proposals, and five advanced.
The technology is meant to support, not replace, public workers, and its value should be judged by whether it helps people and improves services.
Artificial intelligence could help governments turn public input into policy decisions and better public services.
Beth Simone Noveck, director of GovLab at Northeastern University, said governments need to organize public input, identify priorities and act on it.
AI tools can sort large volumes of proposals and identify recurring concerns, but Noveck said they should support rather than replace public servants.
In California, AI helped organize suggestions after wildfires into 19 policy initiatives, five of which advanced.
A separate example involved an Australian teacher’s app for assessing English communication skills, which spread to more schools and districts.
- Who
- Governments and public institutions could use AI to process public input. Beth Simone Noveck of Northeastern University’s GovLab discussed its potential.
- What
- AI could help organize citizen proposals and identify priorities to improve public services and policies.
- When
- The article was published on November 8, 2026. The conference date is not stated.
- Where
- The discussion took place at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM). Examples came from California and Australia.
- Why
- To help governments make better use of public input and respond more effectively to social needs.
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- 2007 initiative
- About 125,000 public proposals received in one week during preparations for the first 100 days of Barack Obama’s administration
- California example
- 19 policy initiatives identified from public suggestions after wildfires; five advanced
- Conference
- Conference on Artificial Intelligence in Government at UNAM
- Noveck's role
- Director of GovLab at Northeastern University