Governments worldwide turn to disruptive technologies for smarter, faster governance

A sweeping transformation is underway in global public administration, driven by the adoption of disruptive technologies (DT) such as artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, the Internet of Things (IoT), and others. A new study titled “Mapping the Adoption of Disruptive Technologies in Public Administration: A Bibliometric Analysis and Review of Practical Applications” published in SAGE Open offers a comprehensive review of how these technologies are reshaping public governance and service delivery across the world.

What is the current research landscape of disruptive technologies in public administration?

The study analyzed 5,927 documents published between 2010 and 2023 using the Scopus database, focusing on the intersection of DT and public administration (PA). The findings indicate a marked rise in scholarly output after 2017, peaking in 2019 before experiencing a post-pandemic decline. Despite the dip, the momentum behind DT adoption in PA remains strong, especially in the application of AI, which leads both in volume and citations of published research.

China, the United States, India, and the United Kingdom emerged as global leaders in research output, with the U.S. having the highest citation impact. AI was the most studied technology, followed by IoT and blockchain. Notably, AI publications spiked after 2018, fueled in part by the pandemic’s demand for tech-enabled public health interventions.

The bibliometric analysis also revealed a growing interdependence among technologies. AI overlaps significantly with IoT and big data, indicating an emerging trend of integrated technological ecosystems rather than isolated implementations. These overlaps are foundational to smart governance, where real-time data from sensors (IoT) are interpreted by AI systems and validated or secured by blockchain mechanisms.

How do different technologies interact and integrate within public administration?

Through a semantic and co-occurrence keyword analysis, the study identified critical overlaps among DTs that suggest a shift from siloed technological adoption to interoperable digital ecosystems. AI and IoT co-appeared 202 times, AI and big data 167 times, and IoT and cloud computing 92 times. These intersections reveal the hybrid nature of technology deployment in PA: AI drives data interpretation, IoT enables data collection, and blockchain ensures data integrity.

Regression models further delineated the unique contributions of each technology. AI strongly correlates with decision-making and automation, blockchain with transparency and trust, and IoT with privacy and security concerns. Virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR) technologies, although less integrated with others, show potential for civic engagement and simulation-based public training programs.

The study points to an imbalance in the application of these technologies. While AI and IoT have found wide-scale use in various PA functions, VR/AR, 3D printing, and robotics remain underutilized, often confined to niche applications like urban planning simulations and elder care. This underdevelopment highlights a critical research and implementation gap compared to the private sector, where such technologies are more fully integrated into operations.

What are the most common practical applications of disruptive technologies in public administration?

Drawing from both scientific and institutional sources, including the OECD, World Bank, and European Commission, the study mapped real-world use cases across three PA dimensions: internal processes, external service delivery, and policy decision-making.

Artificial Intelligence (AI): AI is widely applied in automating administrative tasks, enhancing compliance monitoring, detecting fraud, and delivering predictive public services. Chatbots, virtual assistants, and AI-based decision support systems are increasingly common in taxation, immigration, and public safety domains. AI has also been central to pandemic response initiatives, such as real-time surveillance and healthcare triage systems.

Internet of Things (IoT): IoT is instrumental in real-time environmental monitoring, infrastructure management, and emergency response. Smart city programs employ sensor networks to monitor pollution, traffic, and energy consumption, enabling responsive urban governance.

Blockchain: Blockchain technologies have gained traction in securing digital identities, land registries, e-voting systems, and public procurement. Smart contracts are streamlining operations and reducing corruption risk by minimizing manual interventions in transaction processing.

Robots and Drones: These technologies are deployed in disaster mapping, surveillance, infrastructure inspection, and eldercare. Drones assist in geographic information collection, while robots are being tested for repetitive administrative tasks and public interfacing.

Virtual and Augmented Reality (VR/AR): Though less prevalent, VR/AR applications are used in public sector training, cultural heritage projects, and participatory planning. They offer immersive experiences that can enhance citizen engagement and understanding of complex civic issues.

The integration of these technologies into public workflows has the potential to revolutionize not only administrative efficiency but also democratic participation and public trust, though the latter remains fraught with challenges around privacy, transparency, and accountability.