From Bureaucracy to Smart Governance: Challenges and Opportunities of Artificial Intelligence in Nepalese Public Administration

Authors

  • Baburam Bhul Nepal Open University and Office of the Auditor General

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.32350/jppp.51.02%20%20%20

Keywords:

Artificial Intelligence (AI), Public Administration, Nepal, opportunities, challenges

Abstract

The study assesses the deployment of artificial intelligence (AI) for public administration in Nepal, cataloging various potential opportunities and challenges in the implementation of AI for digital governance, e-service delivery, and innovation. This study uses the qualitative research approach with an integrative literature review for analyzing the use of artificial intelligence in public administration in Nepal. The data presents several obstacles for the implementation of AI because it shows a low adoption rate and there is insufficient digital infrastructure and the skilled personnel required for implementation are lacking. There is no established any concrete legal framework for AI deployment in Nepal, which creates additional ethical problems about data privacy and algorithmic bias that need to be resolved to gain public confidence. Therefore, despite these challenges, AI brings with it an enormous opportunity to revamp public service delivery, especially in critical sectors such as health, agriculture, and disaster management. These findings suggest a need to develop focused capacity-building initiatives and a sound legal and regulatory framework as well as a conducive environment in which the public will actively participate for AI to effectively contribute and eventually revolutionize public administration in Nepal

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.
0

References

Alshahrani, A., Griva, A., Dennehy, D., & Mäntymäki, M. (2024). Artificial intelligence and decision-making in government functions: Opportunities, challenges and future research. Transforming Government: People, Process and Policy, 18(4), 678–698. https://doi.org/10.1108/TG-06-2024-0131

Androniceanu, A. (2023). The new trends of digital transformation and artificial intelligence in public administration. Questa Soft. https://www.ceeol.com/search/article-detail?id=1231420

Androniceanu, A. (2024). Generative artificial intelligence: Present and perspectives in public administration. Administrație și Management Public, 43, 105–119. https://doi.org/10.24818/amp/2024.43-06

Attard-Frost, B., Brandusescu, A., & Lyons, K. (2024). The governance of artificial intelligence in Canada: Findings and opportunities from a review of 84 AI governance initiatives. Government Information Quarterly, 41(2), Article 101929. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.giq.2024.101929

Barsekh-Onji, A., Hernandez, Z. T., & Espinosa, E. O. C. (2025). Advancing smart public administration: Challenges and benefits of artificial intelligence. Urban Governance, 5(3), 279–292. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ugj.2025.06.003

Barth, T. J., & Arnold, E. (1999). Artificial intelligence and administrative discretion. The American Review of Public Administration, 29(4), 332–351. https://doi.org/10.1177/02750749922064463

Bertot, J. C., Gorham, U., Jaeger, P. T., Sarin, L. C., & Choi, H. (2014). Big data, open government and e-government: Issues, policies and recommendations. Information Polity, 19(1–2), 5–16. https://doi.org/10.3233/IP-140328

Bignami, F. (2022). Artificial intelligence accountability of public administration. The American Journal of Comparative Law, 70(Supplement_1), i312–i346. https://doi.org/10.1093/ajcl/avac012

Borissov, B., & Hristozov, Y. (2024). Potential for using artificial intelligence in public administration. Economics – Innovative and Economics Research Journal, 12(3), 409–423. https://doi.org/10.2478/eoik-2024-0034

Bryson, J. M., Crosby, B. C., & Bloomberg, L. (2014). Public value governance: Moving beyond traditional public administration and the new public management. Public Administration Review, 74(4), 445–456. https://doi.org/10.1111/puar.12238

Christie, N. V. (2018). A comprehensive accountability framework for public administrators. Public Integrity, 20(1), 80–92. https://doi.org/10.1080/10999922.2016.1257349

Corvalán, J. G. (2018). Digital and intelligent public administration: Transformations in the era of artificial intelligence. A&C – Revista de Direito Administrativo & Constitucional, 18(71), 55–87. https://doi.org/10.21056/aec.v18i71.857

Criado, J. I., Sandoval-Almazán, R., & Gil-Garcia, J. R. (2024). Artificial intelligence and public administration: Understanding actors, governance, and policy from micro, meso, and macro perspectives. Public Policy and Administration, 40(2), 173–184. https://doi.org/10.1177/09520767241272921

David, G. (2024). Artificial intelligence: Opportunities and challenges for public administration. Canadian Public Administration, 67(3), 388–406. https://doi.org/10.1111/capa.12580

Dei, H. (2024). The role of big data in ensuring transparency and accountability of public authorities. Health Leadership and Quality of Life, 3, Article 421. https://doi.org/10.56294/hl2024.421

Denhardt, J. V., & Denhardt, R. B. (2011). The new public service: Serving, not steering (3rd ed.). Routledge.

Digital Development. (2019). Digital Nepal Framework. Government of Nepal, Ministry of Communication and Information Technology. https://www.digitaldevelopment.org/library/digital-nepal-framework/

Gajurel, A. (2023, July 6). Bridging the digital divide in Nepal. Nepal Live Today. https://www.nepallivetoday.com/2023/07/06/bridging-the-digital-divide-in-nepal/

Gibbons, E. D. (2021). Toward a more equal world: The human rights approach to extending the benefits of artificial intelligence. IEEE Technology and Society Magazine, 40(1), 25–30. https://doi.org/10.1109/MTS.2021.3056295

Jha, J., & Yadav, A. K. (2022, February 10). How is artificial intelligence changing the world? What Nepal should do to tap it. Nepal Live Today. https://www.nepallivetoday.com/2022/02/10/how-is-artificial-intelligence-changing-the-world-what-nepal-should-do-to-tap-it/

Karki, S., & Karki, R. B. (2025). Implicit AI adoption: Descriptive insights into how Nepalese use AI without awareness. Social Science Research Network. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.5159486

Lindgren, I., Janssen, M., Lee, H., Polini, A., Bolívar, M. P. R., Scholl, H. J., & Tambouris, E. (2019). Electronic government. Springer. https://dgsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/10.1007_978-3-030-57599-1.pdf

Mahat, D., Neupane, D., & Shrestha, S. K. (2025). A critical examination of Nepal’s National AI Policy 2081/2025: SWOT analysis and strategic recommendations for sustainable AI integration. Nepal Journal of Multidisciplinary Research, 8(1), 71–84. https://doi.org/10.3126/njmr.v8i1.76481

Mergel, I., Dickinson, H., Stenvall, J., & Gasco, M. (2023). Implementing AI in the public sector. Public Management Review, 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1080/14719037.2023.2231950

Ministry of Communication and Information Technology. (2024). Concept paper regarding the use and practice of AI in Nepal. Government of Nepal. https://mocit.gov.np/content/12663/12663-nepal/

Ministry of Communication and Information Technology. (2025). National Artificial Intelligence Policy, 2025 (2082) of Nepal. Government of Nepal. https://mocit.gov.np/content/13077/national-artifacial-intelligence--aci--policy--2082/

Neupane, A. (2023). Transformation of public service: Rise of technology, AI and automation. Prashasan: The Nepalese Journal of Public Administration, 55(2), 42–52. https://doi.org/10.3126/prashasan.v55i2.63538

Office of Attorney Nepal. (2015). Constitution of Nepal. https://ag.gov.np/files/Constitution-of-Nepal_2072_Eng_www.moljpa.gov_.npDate-72_11_16.pdf

O’Neil, C. (2016). Weapons of math destruction: How big data increases inequality and threatens democracy. Crown Publishing Group.

Panthi, R., & Rijal, S. (2024, July 29). Nepal initiates AI regulation with concept paper. The Annapurna Express. https://theannapurnaexpress.com/story/49893/

Paul, J., & Criado, A. R. (2020). The art of writing literature reviews: What do we know and what do we need to know? International Business Review, 29(4), Article e101717. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ibusrev.2020.101717

Paudel, S., & Ghimire, A. (2021, November). AI ethics survey in Nepal. NAAMII. https://www.naamii.org.np/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/AI-Ethics-Survey-Report.pdf

Porayska-Pomsta, K., & Rajendran, G. (2019). Accountability in human and artificial intelligence decision-making as the basis for diversity and educational inclusion. In J. Knox, Y. Wang, & M. Gallagher (Eds.), Artificial intelligence and inclusive education: Speculative futures and emerging practices (pp. 39–59). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-8161-4_3

Rana, V. S. (2025, February 12). AI in Nepal, at crossroads. The Kathmandu Post. https://kathmandupost.com/columns/2025/02/12/ai-in-nepal-at-crossroads

Reis, J., Santo, P. E., & Melão, N. (2019, June 19–22). Impacts of artificial intelligence on public administration: A systematic literature review [Paper presentation]. Proceedings of 14th Iberian Conference on Information Systems and Technologies, Coimbra, Portugal

Sharma, G. (2020). Digital governance in Nepal. Journal of Management Research, 12(3), 41–53. https://doi.org/10.5296/jmr.v12i3.17061

Society for Research in Child Development. (2021). Ethical principles and standards for developmental scientists. https://www.srcd.org/about-us/ethical-principles-and-standards-developmental-scientists

Torraco, R. J. (2016). Writing integrative literature reviews: Using the past and present to explore the future. Human Resource Development Review, 15(4), 404–428. https://doi.org/10.1177/1534484316671606

UNESCO. (2025, February 12). Unveiling the intricacies of AI governance in Nepal: Multistakeholder dialogue on artificial intelligence governance. https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/unveiling-intricacies-ai-governance-nepal-multistakeholder-dialogue-artificial-intelligence

Vatamanu, A. F., & Tofan, M. (2025). Integrating artificial intelligence into public administration: Challenges and vulnerabilities. Administrative Sciences, 15(4), Article 149. https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci15040149

Van Noordt, C., & Misuraca, G. (2020, September 23–25). Evaluating the impact of artificial intelligence technologies in public services: Towards an assessment framework [Paper presentation]. Proceedings of the 13th International Conference on Theory and Practice of Electronic Governance, Athens, Greece.

Van Noordt, C., & Tangi, L. (2023). The dynamics of AI capability and its influence on public value creation of AI within public administration. Government Information Quarterly, 40(4), Article e101860. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.giq.2023.101860

Vesolovska, M., Karkovska, V., & Duma, O. (2025). Artificial intelligence in public administration: How the emotional intelligence of civil servants influences its effective implementation. Administrație și Management Public, 45, 27–45. https://doi.org/10.24818/amp/2025.45-02

Wirtz, B. W., Weyerer, J. C., & Geyer, C. (2018). Artificial intelligence and the public sector: Applications and challenges. International Journal of Public Administration, 42(7), 596–615. https://doi.org/10.1080/01900692.2018.1498103

Wirtz, B. W., & Müller, W. M. (2018). An integrated artificial intelligence framework for public management. Public Management Review, 21(7), 1076–1100. https://doi.org/10.1080/14719037.2018.1549268

Wirtz, B. W., Weyerer, J. C., & Sturm, B. J. (2020). The dark sides of artificial intelligence: An integrated AI governance framework for public administration. International Journal of Public Administration, 43(9), 818–829. https://doi.org/10.1080/01900692.2020.1749851

Worthington, R. (2025). The role of AI infrastructure transparency. Infrastructure Transparency Initiative. https://infrastructuretransparency.org/2025/02/12/the-role-of-ai-24/

Young, M. M., Bullock, J. B., & Lecy, J. D. (2019). Artificial discretion as a tool of governance: A framework for understanding the impact of artificial intelligence on public administration. Perspectives on Public Management and Governance, 2(4), 301–313. https://doi.org/10.1093/ppmgov/gvz014

Downloads

Published

2026-06-24

How to Cite

Bhul, B. (2026). From Bureaucracy to Smart Governance: Challenges and Opportunities of Artificial Intelligence in Nepalese Public Administration. Journal of Public Policy Practitioners, 5(1), 24–30. https://doi.org/10.32350/jppp.51.02

Issue

Section

Articles

Similar Articles

1 2 3 4 > >> 

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.