The Role of AI-Based Intelligent Systems in Public Policy Formulation
Keywords:
Public Problem, Public Policy Formulation, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Intelligent System, Intelligent Policy FormulationAbstract
Existing public policies have failed to adequately solve complex public problems in society. To deal with the complexities of public problems, intelligent systems are required. The input and output of an intelligent system are similar to those of a conventional system, where correct input leads to correct output. The intelligent system can receive a public problem, prioritize it, and offer a solution for it. This is a qualitative, exploratory research with an applied objective. The data collection was conducted through fieldwork using semi-structured interviews. The research population included public policy experts and Artificial Intelligence (AI) experts. Snowball sampling was utilized, reaching theoretical saturation with a final sample size of 12 people. To assess the validity and reliability of this research, the opinions and guidelines of a group of experts were considered before, during, and after the coding process, and the necessary final adjustments were made. For the qualitative data analysis, the Thematic Analysis method and the Thematic Network tool, following the Attride-Stirling approach in six steps, were used. In this research, 4 global themes, 7 organizing themes, and 143 basic themes were extracted to determine the role of the intelligent system in public policy formulation. The results showed that intelligent systems must be used to formulate intelligent policies. By using the capabilities of AI, the intelligent system can perform the process of public problem identification, agenda setting, and offering the best solution intelligently. Consequently, the public policy formulation processes are presented more precisely, effectively, and with fewer negative side effects. The knowledge required by the intelligent system to perform these processes intelligently is supplied by the capabilities of the Expert System and the Learning System.
Downloads
References
Agbabiaka, O., Ojo, A., & Connolly, N. (2025). Requirements for trustworthy AI-enabled automated decision-making in the public sector: A systematic review. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 215, 124076. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2025.124076
Akbari, I. (2024). Designing an intelligent legislative support system: Introducing a data-driven analysis approach to public policy (application of artificial intelligence and data-based technology in policy analysis).
Alvani, M. (2007). Decision-making and determining government policy. Tehran: Samt Publications.
Alvani, M., & Sharifzadeh, F. (2013). Public policy. Tehran: Allameh Tabatabaei University Research Associate.
American Psychological, A. (2023). Artificial intelligence and intelligent systems. https://dictionary.apa.org/artificial-intelligence
Anderson, J. E. (2015). Public policymaking: An introduction. Cengage Learning. http://www.kropfpolisci.com/public.policy.anderson.pdf
Angonia, A., & Colleagues. (2025). Decoding development: The frontier of artificial intelligence in policy formulation: A systematic review.
Armani Mehr, M., Salati, M., Shahipour, H., & Bahramah, A. (2014). Concepts of artificial intelligence. Harim Danesh, Tehran.
Babaeian, F., Safdari Ranjbar, M., & Hakim, A. (2023). Analyzing the role of artificial intelligence in the public policy cycle. Management Improvement, 17(2), 150-115.
Banerjee, S., Pradeep Kumar, S., & Bajpai, J. (2018). A comparative study on decision-making capability between human and artificial intelligence. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-6747-1_23
Berryhill, J., Heang, K. K., Clogher, R., & McBride, K. (2019). Hello, World: Artificial intelligence and its use in the public sector. https://www.oecd.org/content/dam/oecd/en/publications/reports/2019/11/hello-world_7734f030/726fd39d-en.pdf
Boyd, M., & Wilson, N. (2017). Rapid developments in artificial intelligence: How might the New Zealand government respond? Policy Quarterly, 13(4), 36-44. https://doi.org/10.26686/pq.v13i4.4619
Dunleavy, P., & Margetts, H. (2025). Data science, artificial intelligence and the third wave of digital era governance.
Esfandiar, M. A., Hamdan, M., Anshari, M., Fitriyani, N. L., & Syafrudin, M. (2024). Governing with Intelligence: The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Policy Development. Information, 15(9), 556. https://doi.org/10.3390/info15090556
Grosz, B. J., Mackworth, A., Altman, R., Horvitz, E., Mitchell, T., Mulligan, D., & Shoham, Y. (2016). Artificial intelligence and life in 2030: One hundred years study on artificial intelligence. https://ai100.stanford.edu/sites/default/files/ai_100_report_0831fnl
Konya, A., Schirch, L., Irwin, C., & Ovadya, A. (2023). Democratic Policy Development using Collective Dialogues and AI.
Li, Y., Fan, Y., & Nie, L. (2025). Making governance agile: Exploring the role of artificial intelligence in China's local governance. Public Policy and Administration, 40(2), 276-301. https://doi.org/10.1177/09520767231188229
McCarthy, J. (2004). What is artificial intelligence? http://www-formal.stanford.edu/jmc/whatisai/whatisai.html
Monett, D., & Lewis, C. W. P. (2018). Getting clarity by defining Artificial Intelligence - A Survey.
Peykani, M. (2016). An Introduction to the Public Policy Making Process. Islamic Azad University of Isfahan, Khorasgan: Research Office.
Pourezat, A. A. (2021a). Editor's note: Designing a policy support system to control policy waste and policy distortions. Government Management, 13(1), 1-2.
Pourezat, A. A. (2021b). Policy Lab Design and Smart Decision Scene Layout to Avoid Trial and Error in Executive Governance. Government Organization Management, 9(3), 161-170.
Rafiee, S., Pourezat, A. A., & Manouriyan, A. (2025). Designing a Public Policy Model Based on Artificial Intelligence. Public Management Research, 18(68), 1-30. https://jmr.usb.ac.ir/article_9248_d3b41d0e021607382418ca21d2b50ae1.pdf
Riahi, M., Hassan Qoli, P., Souri, T., Divandari, A., & Kalantari, A. H. (2025). Strategic Decision Making in the Age of Artificial Intelligence. Strategic Studies Quarterly, 27(4), 186-177. https://quarterly.risstudies.org/m/article_217180.html?lang=en
Rittel, H. W. J., & Webber, M. M. (1973). Dilemmas in a general theory of planning. Policy Sciences, 4(2), 155-169. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01405730
Roshan, M. (2025). ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION: A DISRUPTIVE FORCE FOR EFFICIENT E-GOVERNANCE.
Roshan Seyed Ali, Q., Yaghoubi Noor, M., & Momeni Amir, R. (2021). Application of Artificial Intelligence in the Government Sector. Iranian Management Sciences Quarterly, 16(61), 145-117.
Shanzari, H., Shahramnia, A. M., Masoudnia, H., & Harsij, H. (2024). A Study of the Use of Artificial Intelligence in the Dynamics of Public Policy Making. Public Policy Quarterly, 10(4), 53-37. https://doi.org/10.22059/jppolicy.2024.99825
Sharifzadeh, Z., Mirkoosh, A., & Hosseini, M. M. (2024). Studying the Effects of New Technology Development Policies and Artificial Intelligence in Developing Macro-Political Strategies with the Approach of General System Policies. Journal of Strategic and Macro-Policies, 12(45), 24-47.
Shojaian, A., Taghavi, F. M. T., & Eliasi, M. (2019). Realization of e-Government in Iran: A Step Towards Smart Government. Crisis Management, 8.
Sun, T. Q., & Medaglia, R. (2023). Artificial Intelligence in Public Policy: A Systematic Review of Research Agendas.
Thierer, A., O'Sullivan Castillo, A., & Russell, R. (2017). Artificial intelligence and public policy. https://www.mercatus.org/system/files/thierer-artificial-intelligence-policy-mr-merca tus-v1
Torabi, M. A., & Eqbal, H. (2024). Presenting an Artificial Intelligence Governance Model for Government Governance in Iran. Journal of Contemporary Iranian Government Studies, 10(4), 11-42. https://irsj.ihu.ac.ir/article_209594.html?lang=en
Van Noordt, C., Medaglia, R., & Tangi, L. (2025). Policy initiatives for Artificial Intelligence-enabled government: An analysis of national strategies in Europe. Public Policy and Administration, 40(2), 215-253. https://doi.org/10.1177/09520767231198411
Van Noordt, C., & Misuraca, G. (2022). Artificial intelligence for the public sector: Results of landscaping the use of AI in government across the European Union. Government Information Quarterly, Article 101704. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.giq.2022.101704
Vardaan, S. (2020). Governing through Artificial Intelligence Driven Policy Processes. https://ijlmh.com/wp-content/uploads/Governing-through-Artificial-Intelligence-Driven-Policy-Processes.pdf
Wang, P. (2019). On Defining Artificial Intelligence.
Wang, P. (2020). On Defining Artificial Intelligence - Author's Response to Commentaries.
Wirtz, B. W., Jan, C. W., & Geyer, C. (2018). Artificial Intelligence and the Public Sector-Applications and Challenges. International Journal of Public Administration. https://doi.org/10.1080/01900692.2018.1498103
