ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN BRAZILIAN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION: INSTITUTIONAL CAPACITIES AND REGULATORY FRAMEWORKS

Abstract

This study addresses the reconfiguration of the Brazilian State driven by the transition from e-government to digital governance and the adoption of artificial intelligence in public administration. It analyzes how the expansion of data processing and the use of algorithmic models impact public policy management, bureaucratic work, and decision-making in the public sector. The study’s general objective is to analyze the impact of institutional capacities and Brazilian regulatory frameworks on the implementation of artificial intelligence in the public sector. It aims to map the trajectory of digital transformation within the State, examine the material, technological, human, and financial requirements of government bodies, and evaluate the limitations of the contemporary normative framework. Consequently, the following research problem is formulated: how do the institutional capacities of Brazilian public administration and current regulatory frameworks shape the implementation of artificial intelligence in the public sector, while balancing the imperatives of administrative efficiency, bias mitigation, and the guarantee of citizens' fundamental rights? The methodology adopts a qualitative approach, characterized as bibliographic and documentary research based on the analysis of legislation, official reports, and specialized academic literature. The results indicate that digitalization consolidates a restructuring of state rationality, highlighting regional asymmetries in technical capacity and a strong reliance on private vendors. It is concluded that the sustainability of digital projects requires the consolidation of guidelines for ethical governance, explainable transparency, civil servant training, and strict adherence to State civil liability to safeguard fundamental rights.