E-Government/AI Integration State and Capacity in Developing Countries: A Systematic Review

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into e-government promises to transform public service delivery, efficiency, and transparency. This study investigates the required critical implementation capacities in e-government/AI integration in developing countries. Although there is a general understanding of e-government/AI integration issues, in-depth knowledge of this phenomenon is limited, especially in developing countries, where both AI and its integration into various technologies are relatively new aspects of digital transformation, highlighting a need for continuing research in this area. In response, we conducted a systematic review in accordance with PRISMA guidelines, employing thematic content analysis on conference papers and peer-reviewed studies published between 2020 and 2025. Findings indicate that e-government/AI integration remains largely in a potential state, with benefits theorised but not yet fully realised. The progression to an actual or desired state is contingent upon building strengths across seven domains: governance, regulation and ethics; strategic and implementation planning; technology and infrastructure development; organisational capacity development; human capital and expertise; AI adoption, implementation, and impact; and citizen engagement and participation. To realise the benefits of AI in e-government, developing countries need to invest in these capacities. In addition to identifying and detailing the above capacities, the study provides a framework for transforming this phenomenon from a theoretical reality into practice.