Table Of Content

Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems 568 Marvic Sciberras Alexiei Dingli Investigating AI Readiness in the Maltese Public Administration Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems Volume 568 Series Editor Janusz Kacprzyk, Systems Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland Advisory Editors Fernando Gomide, Department of Computer Engineering and Automation—DCA, School of Electrical and Computer Engineering—FEEC, University of Campinas—UNICAMP, São Paulo, Brazil Okyay Kaynak, Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Bogazici University, Istanbul, Turkey Derong Liu, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, USA Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China Witold Pedrycz, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Alberta, Alberta, Canada Systems Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland Marios M. Polycarpou, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, KIOS Research Center for Intelligent Systems and Networks, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus Imre J. Rudas, Óbuda University, Budapest, Hungary Jun Wang, Department of Computer Science, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong The series “Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems” publishes the latest developments in Networks and Systems—quickly, informally and with high quality. Original research reported in proceedings and post-proceedings represents the core of LNNS. Volumes published in LNNS embrace all aspects and subfields of, as well as new challenges in, Networks and Systems. 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For proposals from Asia please contact Aninda Bose ([email protected]). · Marvic Sciberras Alexiei Dingli Investigating AI Readiness in the Maltese Public Administration Marvic Sciberras Alexiei Dingli IDEA Academy Malta University of Malta Mosta, Malta Msida, Malta ISSN 2367-3370 ISSN 2367-3389 (electronic) Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems ISBN 978-3-031-19899-1 ISBN 978-3-031-19900-4 (eBook) https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-19900-4 © The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2023 This work is subject to copyright. 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This Springer imprint is published by the registered company Springer Nature Switzerland AG The registered company address is: Gewerbestrasse 11, 6330 Cham, Switzerland Contents 1 Introduction .................................................. 1 References .................................................... 2 2 AI and Its Wider Impact ....................................... 3 References .................................................... 5 3 Public Administration and Technology in Malta .................. 7 References .................................................... 8 4 AI Adoption .................................................. 11 References .................................................... 14 5 AI-Readiness ................................................. 17 References .................................................... 20 6 Research Purpose, Question and Design—Exploratory Sequential Approach .......................................... 23 References .................................................... 24 7 Research Philosophy—Pragmatic Paradigm ..................... 25 7.1 Human Nature and Ontology .............................. 25 7.2 Epistemology ........................................... 26 7.3 Pragmatic Paradigm ..................................... 26 References .................................................... 26 8 Research Approach—Mixed-Methods Approach ................. 29 References .................................................... 29 9 Research Analysis—Triangulation Approach .................... 31 References .................................................... 32 10 Qualitative Research and Findings .............................. 33 10.1 Data Collection Instrument: Semi-structured Interviews ....... 33 10.2 Design of Interview Questions ............................ 33 10.3 Target Population—Purposive ............................. 34 v vi Contents 10.4 Sampling—Total Population .............................. 34 10.5 Data Analysis—Inductive Thematic Analysis ............... 34 10.6 Research Credibility and Trustworthiness—TACT Framework ............................................. 35 10.7 Qualitative Research Findings ............................. 38 References .................................................... 40 11 Quantitative Research ......................................... 43 11.1 Data Collection Tool: Survey ............................. 43 11.2 Design of Survey Questions .............................. 43 11.3 Target Population—Maltese Public Administration ........... 44 11.4 Sample—Total Population ................................ 44 11.5 Data Analysis—Graphical Interpretation .................... 44 11.6 Variables ............................................... 45 11.7 Reliability and Validity ................................... 45 11.8 Quantitative Research Findings ............................ 45 11.9 Analysis ............................................... 87 11.9.1 Introduction ................................... 87 11.9.2 Understanding AI ............................... 88 11.9.3 Policy and Procedures ........................... 90 11.9.4 Data .......................................... 91 11.9.5 Preparedness ................................... 94 11.9.6 Change What? ................................. 96 11.9.7 To Drive AI .................................... 99 11.9.8 In Demand .................................... 99 11.9.9 AI as an Asset .................................. 102 11.9.10 Addressing Risks ............................... 103 11.9.11 Future Applications of AI ........................ 103 11.9.12 Moving Forward ............................... 104 11.9.13 Conclusion .................................... 107 11.10 Conclusions and Recommendations ........................ 107 11.10.1 Conclusions ................................... 108 11.10.2 Recommendations .............................. 111 11.10.3 Future Research ................................ 112 References .................................................... 113 Appendix A: Consent form for Interviews ........................... 117 Appendix B: Interview Questions .................................. 119 Appendix C: Consent Form and Survey Questions ................... 123 Appendix D: Step-by-Step Breakdown of the Research Process for Auditability Purposes .............................. 131 Contents vii Appendix E: Excerpts for Overarching Theme 1: Understanding AI .................................... 133 Appendix F: Excerpts for Overarching Theme 2: Policy and Procedures ....................................... 137 Appendix G: Excerpts for Overarching Theme 3: Data ............... 141 Appendix H: Excerpts for Overarching Theme 4: Preparedness ....... 147 Appendix I: Excerpts for Overarching Theme 5: Change What? ...... 151 Appendix J: Excerpts for Overarching Theme 6: In Demand ......... 157 Appendix K: Excerpts for Overarching Theme 7: AI as an Asset ...... 167 Appendix L: Excerpts for Overarching Theme 8: Addressing Risks .... 169 Appendix M: Excerpts for Overarching Theme 9: Future Applications of AI .................................... 171 Appendix N: Excerpts for Overarching Theme 10: Moving Forward ............................................. 173 Bibliography ...................................................... 181 Abbreviations AI Artificial Intelligence AGI Artificial General Intelligence ANI Artificial Narrow Intelligence ASI Artificial Superintelligence CIOs Chief Information Officers DPO Data Protection Office EU27 Refer to the 27 European Countries ICT Information and Communications Technology ICTs Information and Communication Technologists IMU Information Management Unit IT Information Technology MAFA Ministry for Agriculture, Fisheries, Food and Animal Rights MFED Ministry for Education MFH Ministry for Health MDIA Malta Digital Innovation Authority MITA Malta Information Technology Agency MTA Malta Tourism Authority OPM Office of the Prime Minister POYC Pharmacy of Your Choice WEF World Economic Forum ix List of Figures Fig. 2.1 Subfields of AI (Source Author’s representation) ............. 4 Fig. 9.1 Triangulation design: validating qualitative data model. Source Adopted from [6] ................................ 32 Fig. 10.1 Qualitative research: the process of the inductive thematic analysis. Source Author’s representation of this study’s qualitative research ..................................... 35 Fig. 11.1 Age. Source Author’s representation of quantitative results .... 46 Fig. 11.2 Gender. Source Author’s representation of quantitative results ................................................ 46 Fig. 11.3 Salary scale demographics. Source Author’s representation of quantitative results ................................... 47 Fig. 11.4 Years employed in public administration. Source Author’s representation of quantitative results ....................... 47 Fig. 11.5 What is artificial intelligence? Source Author’s representation of quantitative results ....................... 48 Fig. 11.6 Are AI technologies already available in your ministry? Source Author’s representation of quantitative results ......... 49 Fig. 11.7 Awareness of the AI national strategy. Source Author’s representation of quantitative results ....................... 50 Fig. 11.8 As part of your role, how do you receive information? Source Author’s representation of quantitative results ......... 51 Fig. 11.9 By collecting information this way, I find it difficult to do my job. Source Author’s representation of quantitative results ..... 52 Fig. 11.10 By collecting information this way, I slow down as it is time consuming. Source Author’s representation of quantitative results ................................................ 52 Fig. 11.11 By collecting information this way, I do my job faster. Source Author’s representation of quantitative results ......... 53 Fig. 11.12 Prefer information received on paper. Source Author’s representation of quantitative results ....................... 53 xi