Balancing AI Efficiency and the Public Interest Discussed by Civil Servants at the UN Public Service Forum

24-25 June 2026                                                                             Tbilisi - Georgia

More than 40 government officials and practitioners from Central Asia, the Caucasus and the Asia-Pacific region gathered in Tbilisi for the workshop “AI in Governance: Balancing Efficiency and Public Interest”, held within the framework of the 2026 United Nations Public Service Forum.

Participants discussed how artificial intelligence (AI) can enhance the effectiveness of the public sector while ensuring accountability, transparency, inclusiveness, and meaningful human involvement in decision-making.

In his welcoming remarks, Mr. Alikhan Baimenov, Chairman of the Steering Committee of the Astana Civil Service Hub, noted that the era of human–AI coexistence presents new opportunities to improve public governance. At the same time, he stressed that the rapid advancement of AI requires particular attention to transparency, data protection, human rights, and ethical principles, as well as maintaining a balance between efficiency and the public interest. He emphasized that the opportunities and challenges associated with AI are global in nature and require international cooperation and knowledge-sharing.

Mr. Jinhong Sim, Director of the AI Government Office at the Ministry of the Interior and Safety of the Republic of Korea, presented Korea's vision of an “AI Democratic Government”. The concept promotes AI not only as a technology, but also as a tool for improving citizens' quality of life, expanding public participation in governance, building a more open, responsive, and people-centred government, and ensuring an inclusive digital transformation.

 

Welcoming remarks were also delivered by Ms. Tamar Zodelava, Deputy Minister of Justice of Georgia, H.E. Faqir Mahbub Anam, Minister of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, speaking on behalf of the participating countries, and Mr. Douglas Webb, UNDP Resident Representative in Georgia.

The event also featured presentations by representatives of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety of the Republic of Korea, the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA), the World Bank, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), and the National Institute for Research and Development in Informatics of Romania. Their presentations showcased international experience and best practices in AI governance, digital infrastructure, accountability, and the responsible use of AI in the public sector. 

 

During the interactive discussion, participants explored the key opportunities and challenges of AI adoption in public administration, with particular attention to institutional readiness, governance capacities, risk management, and strengthening public trust. Representatives of the twelve participating countries also shared their national experiences in AI adoption, including achievements, current challenges, and future priorities.

The workshop was organized by the Astana Civil Service Hub (ACSH), UNDP Kazakhstan, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety (MOIS) of the Republic of Korea, and the National Information Society Agency (NIA) of the Republic of Korea, in partnership with the Ministry of Justice of Georgia. 

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For reference: The workshop was held as part of an interregional project implemented by UNDP, MOIS, NIA, and the Astana Civil Service Hub to strengthen the capacities of civil servants in 12 countries across Central Asia, the Caucasus, and the Asia-Pacific region. As part of the project (2024–2026), a series of workshops, research activities, and study visits to the Republic of Korea are being conducted to advance digital transformation and digital governance across the participating countries.