Ai and Public Administration
A.Y. 2026/2027
Learning objectives
The first module of the course, "Public Administration, Single-case Decision making and Judicial Review in the era of Digitalisation and Artificial Intelligence ", aims to establish the fundamental principles of Public Administration's Decision-Making in the era of digitalisation and Artificial Intelligence, according to the idea that the AI Revolution comes, but public law does not go away. The main questions to be addressed concern the impact on the principles of Decision-Making, as well as on administrative procedure and the right to good administration. A special focus on Judicial Review of Public Administration's Automated Decision making is also given.
The second module of the course, "Artificial Intelligence for Decision Support in Public Administration and Justice ", aims to provide foundations of Machine Learning (ML) and Natural Language Processing (NLP) required to address the Large Language Models (LLM) and generative AI techniques. Applications of LLMs and generative AI in the Public Administration scenario are discussed. A specific focus on the Justice domain is given, by providing a case study of applying LLMs on a legal documents repository for knowledge extraction and legal document building.
The second module of the course, "Artificial Intelligence for Decision Support in Public Administration and Justice ", aims to provide foundations of Machine Learning (ML) and Natural Language Processing (NLP) required to address the Large Language Models (LLM) and generative AI techniques. Applications of LLMs and generative AI in the Public Administration scenario are discussed. A specific focus on the Justice domain is given, by providing a case study of applying LLMs on a legal documents repository for knowledge extraction and legal document building.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding
Students are expected to be able to understand the basic principles of Public Administration's Decision-Making, Administrative procedure and the right to good administration, as well as the specific problems related to Automated Decision Making (ADM) in Public Administration.
Students are expected to be able to understand requirements and objectives of AI and AI-based decision processes in Public Administration and Justice.
Students are expected to be able to understand the principles and basic notions of LLMs and generative AI techniques.
Applying knowledge and understanding
Students shall be able to use their knowledge and comprehension to analyse real-world decision-making scenarios in public administration that involve the implementation of IA systems.
Students will be able to apply LLMs introduced in the course to real datasets for decision problems.
Students are expected to be able to understand the basic principles of Public Administration's Decision-Making, Administrative procedure and the right to good administration, as well as the specific problems related to Automated Decision Making (ADM) in Public Administration.
Students are expected to be able to understand requirements and objectives of AI and AI-based decision processes in Public Administration and Justice.
Students are expected to be able to understand the principles and basic notions of LLMs and generative AI techniques.
Applying knowledge and understanding
Students shall be able to use their knowledge and comprehension to analyse real-world decision-making scenarios in public administration that involve the implementation of IA systems.
Students will be able to apply LLMs introduced in the course to real datasets for decision problems.
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
Module 1 - TOPICS
1. The AI Revolution Comes, but Public Law Does Not Go Away: Introduction (6 hours)
· Introduction to Public Administration's Law and Public Administration Single-Case Decision Making
· The notion of Administrative Procedure and its implications: comparative law-based analysis
· Public Administration, the Digital transition, and AI
2. Single-case decision making and Automation by Artificial Intelligence: the most relevant issues (6 hours)
· Distinguishing Rulemaking and Programming of AI from Single Case ADM Assisted Decision Making
· Pre-determination of ADM systems by law
· Pre-determination and accountability
3. Automation by AI and decision-making phases: what's going on? (6 hours)
· AI and decision-making phases: from zero automation to full automation
· Single-case decision making, Administrative Procedure and the Right to Good Administration
· Transparency and the obligation of the administration to give reasons
4. Judicial Review of Public Administration's Decision making and AI technologies (6 hours)
· Judicial Review and AI
· AI and the reasoning of decisions
· Case studies
Module 2 - TOPICS
The second module of the course focuses on Applied AI Systems for Public Administration.
Concrete examples are employed to examine the applications of Large Language Models (LLMs) and generative AI techniques in the Public Administration scenario, following the establishment of the necessary foundations of Machine Learning (ML) and Natural Language Processing (NLP).
1. The AI Revolution Comes, but Public Law Does Not Go Away: Introduction (6 hours)
· Introduction to Public Administration's Law and Public Administration Single-Case Decision Making
· The notion of Administrative Procedure and its implications: comparative law-based analysis
· Public Administration, the Digital transition, and AI
2. Single-case decision making and Automation by Artificial Intelligence: the most relevant issues (6 hours)
· Distinguishing Rulemaking and Programming of AI from Single Case ADM Assisted Decision Making
· Pre-determination of ADM systems by law
· Pre-determination and accountability
3. Automation by AI and decision-making phases: what's going on? (6 hours)
· AI and decision-making phases: from zero automation to full automation
· Single-case decision making, Administrative Procedure and the Right to Good Administration
· Transparency and the obligation of the administration to give reasons
4. Judicial Review of Public Administration's Decision making and AI technologies (6 hours)
· Judicial Review and AI
· AI and the reasoning of decisions
· Case studies
Module 2 - TOPICS
The second module of the course focuses on Applied AI Systems for Public Administration.
Concrete examples are employed to examine the applications of Large Language Models (LLMs) and generative AI techniques in the Public Administration scenario, following the establishment of the necessary foundations of Machine Learning (ML) and Natural Language Processing (NLP).
Prerequisites for admission
Basic knowledge of Administrative Law and information technology
Teaching methods
Lectures and debates in class based on brief presentations by students on topics explored independently. The second module will also encompass case studies aimed at examining and discussing practical applications of these tools within public administration activities.
Teaching Resources
DIANA-URANIA GALETTA, Artificial Intelligence and Public Administration. A Journey, Editoriale Scientifica, Napoli, 2025 Editoriale Scientifica, Napoli, 2025, pp. XIII-277, ISBN 979-12-235-0264-8 t: https://editorialescientifica.it/prodotto/artificial-intelligence-and-public-administration/
Assessment methods and Criteria
The final exam will consist of an oral assessment of the student's knowledge, understanding, and communication skills related to the subject. In addition to grasping the fundamental concepts of the subject, the exam will evaluate the student's ability to explore a specific topic covered during the course, based on academic literature that the student has independently gathered.
INF/01 - INFORMATICS - University credits: 3
IUS/10 - ADMINISTRATIVE LAW - University credits: 3
IUS/10 - ADMINISTRATIVE LAW - University credits: 3
Lessons: 48 hours
Professor:
Galetta Diana Urania
Educational website(s)
Professor(s)
Reception:
To meet the Professor please write an e-mail to: [email protected]
Online on the Microsoft Teams platform or in presence, at the office located in Via Festa del Perdono 7, at the Department of Public Law and supranational (ground floor)