‘Services Must Be Flexible’: How Governments Can Use Artificial Intelligence
The HSE International Laboratory for Digital Transformation in Public Administration held a roundtable titled ‘Artificial Intelligence in Public Administration: Current Trends.’ Scholars from Israel, China, and Russia discussed which public services AI can enhance and what key factors must be considered when adopting new technologies.
Eran Vigoda-Gadot
Artificial intelligence is now capable of performing many tasks traditionally handled by humans, noted Prof. Eran Vigoda-Gadot from the Division of Public Administration and Policy at the University of Haifa in his talk on the potential of AI. He shared some global insights into the use of AI: ‘The global AI market was valued at approximately $150.2 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach $407 billion by 2027, with an annual growth rate of over 36%,’ he noted. And this is not the limit for AI development.
According to expert forecasts, AI could reach a market value of $1.8 trillion by 2030. Already, nearly 77% of devices utilise AI in one form or another—from voice assistants like Siri to content recommendations on social media platforms. AI is making a real breakthrough in voice search, with over 40% of mobile device users already taking advantage of this feature, said Eran Vigoda-Gadot.
Looking ahead, AI is expected to automate up to 70% of routine tasks currently carried out by people. However, this is also likely to create new job opportunities for those involved in managing and developing AI systems. ‘AI is hard to avoid!’ declared Professor Eran Vigoda-Gadot, encouraging its use in research. However, he added, it is crucial to pose the right questions and select appropriate tools to make effective use of AI.
Chen Tao
Prof. Chen Tao from the College of Public Administration at Huazhong University of Science and Technology noted a growing interest in AI and its application in the public sector. The implementation of AI has led to improvements in the quality of public services. For example, AI helps accelerate administrative processes. ‘AI-powered chatbots respond to queries in real time and provide immediate feedback, thereby bringing governments closer to the public,’ said Prof. Chen. Moreover, the use of big data enables the public sector to make more balanced and accurate decisions.
Chinese AI labs have reached the level of their American counterparts, Prof. Chen stated. Significant progress has been observed with the release of DeepSeek, a Chinese neural network based on an open-source large language model. According to him, modern Chinese AI models now demonstrate built-in logical reasoning and produce more coherent responses.
The open-source nature of DeepSeek offers several advantages, including reduced development costs and improved energy efficiency compared to its counterparts. Professor Chen Tao emphasised the significance of this, noting that the high energy consumption of many current AI models contributes to increased carbon emissions and has a negative environmental impact. In contrast, DeepSeek represents a more environmentally sustainable approach to AI development.
Evgeny Styrin
Evgeny Styrin, Head of the HSE International Laboratory for Digital Transformation in Public Administration, stressed the importance of a value-based approach when implementing new technologies. He used banking chatbots as an example. While digital channels offer convenience for resolving customer issues, there is also a downside. In the banking sector, the frustration caused by time-consuming interactions with chatbots can outweigh the benefits of remote service. In many cases, personal communication and an apology from a bank employee are more effective in resolving conflicts than similar actions carried out by a machine.
According to Evgeny Styrin, a value-based approach should take into account the generational characteristics of users—including generations X, Y (millennials), Z, and Alpha—when developing digital banking services. ‘Different generations have different preferences. That is why services must be flexible,’ he explained.
This perspective is supported by research from Siqi Li, a PhD student at the School of Public Administration at Huazhong University of Science and Technology. She noted that AI technologies have been increasingly adopted in the public sector in recent years, particularly in the shift from human interaction to robot-assisted communication. However, surveys of citizens who have engaged with both human staff and service robots at Chinese public service centres revealed a clear trend: in some cases, people are willing to queue in order to receive standard services from a human rather than a robot.
See also:
‘Economic Growth Without the AI Factor Is No Longer Possible’
The International Summer Institute on AI in Education has opened in Shanghai. The event is organised by the HSE Institute of Education in partnership with East China Normal University (ECNU). More than 50 participants and key speakers from over ten countries across Asia, Europe, North and South America have gathered to discuss the use of AI technologies in education and beyond.
HSE Linguists Study How Bilinguals Use Phrases with Numerals in Russian
Researchers at HSE University analysed over 4,000 examples of Russian spoken by bilinguals for whom Russian is a second language, collected from seven regions of Russia. They found that most non-standard numeral constructions are influenced not only by the speakers’ native languages but also by how frequently these expressions occur in everyday speech. For example, common phrases like 'two hours' or 'five kilometres’ almost always match the standard literary form, while less familiar expressions—especially those involving the numerals two to four or collective forms like dvoe and troe (used for referring to people)—often differ from the norm. The study has been published in Journal of Bilingualism.
Mathematicians from HSE Campus in Nizhny Novgorod Prove Existence of Robust Chaos in Complex Systems
Researchers from the International Laboratory of Dynamical Systems and Applications at the HSE Campus in Nizhny Novgorod have developed a theory that enables a mathematical proof of robust chaotic dynamics in networks of interacting elements. This research opens up new possibilities for exploring complex dynamical processes in neuroscience, biology, medicine, chemistry, optics, and other fields. The study findings have been accepted for publication in Physical Review Letters, a leading international journal. The findings are available on arXiv.org.
Recommender Systems: New Algorithms and Current Practices
The AI and Digital Science Institute at the HSE Faculty of Computer Science hosted a conference focused on cutting-edge recommender system technologies. In an atmosphere of active knowledge sharing among leading industry experts, participants were introduced to the latest advancements and practical solutions in recommender model development.
AI to Enable Accurate Modelling of Data Storage System Performance
Researchers at the HSE Faculty of Computer Science have developed a new approach to modelling data storage systems based on generative machine learning models. This approach makes it possible to accurately predict the key performance characteristics of such systems under various conditions. Results have been published in the IEEE Access journal.
From Neural Networks to Stock Markets: Advancing Computer Science Research at HSE University in Nizhny Novgorod
The International Laboratory of Algorithms and Technologies for Network Analysis (LATNA), established in 2011 at HSE University in Nizhny Novgorod, conducts a wide range of fundamental and applied research, including joint projects with large companies: Sberbank, Yandex, and other leaders of the IT industry. The methods developed by the university's researchers not only enrich science, but also make it possible to improve the work of transport companies and conduct medical and genetic research more successfully. HSE News Service discussed work of the laboratory with its head, Professor Valery Kalyagin.
Children with Autism Process Sounds Differently
For the first time, an international team of researchers—including scientists from the HSE Centre for Language and Brain—combined magnetoencephalography and morphometric analysis in a single experiment to study children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The study found that children with autism have more difficulty filtering and processing sounds, particularly in the brain region typically responsible for language comprehension. The study has been published in Cerebral Cortex.
When Thoughts Become Movement: How Brain–Computer Interfaces Are Transforming Medicine and Daily Life
At the dawn of the 21st century, humans are increasingly becoming not just observers, but active participants in the technological revolution. Among the breakthroughs with the potential to change the lives of millions, brain–computer interfaces (BCIs)—systems that connect the brain to external devices—hold a special place. These technologies were the focal point of the spring International School ‘A New Generation of Neurointerfaces,’ which took place at HSE University.
Script Differences Hinder Language Switching in Bilinguals
Researchers at the HSE Centre for Language and Brain used eye-tracking to examine how bilinguals switch between languages in response to context shifts. Script differences were found to slow down this process. When letters appear unfamiliar—such as the Latin alphabet in a Russian-language text—the brain does not immediately switch to the other language, even when the person is aware they are in a bilingual setting. The article has been published in Bilingualism: Language and Cognition.
'Science Knows No National Borders'
Foreign scientists successfully continue their work in HSE University laboratories, combining fundamental and applied research to achieve significant results. HSE News Service has spoken to Professor Panos Pardalos, Head of the Laboratory of Algorithms and Technologies for Networks Analysis at HSE University in Nizhny Novgorod, about its work.