Should I Stay or Should I Go? Dilemmas and Polarized Attitudes of Public Sector Managers Regarding AI

Abstract

The public sector, characterized by structural inertia, strict regulations, and a low level of flexibility, faces additional challenges in relation to the major technological transformations of recent years, particularly those associated with artificial intelligence (AI). The research aims to investigate the perceptions of managers in the Romanian public sector regarding the opportunities and risks brought by the implementation of AI in organizations. The study employs a mixed-method design, combining two complementary approaches: a survey of 188 managers from public institutions and a focus group involving 7 managers from various public administration organizations. The results reveal a set of recurring trends. In the absence of a clear institutional vision, AI is perceived more as a source of risk than as a strategic opportunity. The study makes an important contribution to understanding this complex landscape by highlighting both the barriers and the opportunities perceived by public administration managers in relation to AI.