Artificial Intelligence Applications in Public Administration: From Global Trends to Türkiye’s National Strategy

The use of artificial intelligence in public administration is transforming the organisational, decision-making and service delivery processes of governments, shifting them from traditional Weberian bureaucracy to data-driven, algorithmic governance. This study focuses on the central research problem of how the global shift towards algorithmic governance shapes digitalisation strategies in developing administrative contexts, with a particular focus on Türkiye’s ' National AI Strategy (2021–2025). To this end, the study conducts a comparative analysis of six countries, examining how global governance lessons influence the formulation of policies in Türkiye. To analyse this situation, the study employs a qualitative comparative case study methodology alongside systematic document analysis. The analysis demonstrates that while AI enhances efficiency, transparency, and policy effectiveness, it also introduces ethical, legal, and social concerns such as data privacy, accountability, the exacerbation of the digital divide. The study further evaluates Türkiye’s National AI Strategy (2021–2025) as a comprehensive framework that aims to institutionalize AI use in public governance through data-driven decision-making, capacity building, and ethical oversight. Ultimately, the study concludes that AI integration is not merely a technological upgrade but a structural transformation demanding robust legal and ethical frameworks. Drawing on cross-case findings, it advances three traceable policy recommendations: the establishment of Algorithm Audit Commissions grounded in the lessons of the Netherlands' SyRI crisis and Canada's Directive on Automated Decision-Making; the legal codification of Explainable AI (XAI) principles enabling citizens to challenge automated decisions; and the design of proactive digital inclusion policies informed by Canada's digital divide evidence and Estonia's citizen-centric service architecture.