The role of automated decision-making in modern administrative law : challenges and data protection implications

Rudolf, Grega (author), Kovač, Polonca (author)

Purpose: The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in automated decision-making (ADM) represents a transformative moment in public administration. This paper explores the incorporation of ADM systems into administrative procedures, focusing on their impact on personal data protection and the fundamental principles underpinning administrative law. Design/Methodology/Approach: Utilising a combination of descriptive, normative, and doctrinal research methods, the study draws on recent regulatory initiatives, analyses selected ADM use cases in Slovenia and abroad, and closely examines the 2023 Schufa case decided by the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU). By combining theoretical perspectives with practical insights, the research provides a comparative analysis within the context of EU and Slovenian legal frameworks. Findings: The study assesses how ADM systems interact with, and potentially reshape, key principles of administrative and data protection law. It presents a clear picture of the legislative, organisational, and technological changes required to ensure that ADM systems align with existing legal frameworks. Academic Contribution to the Field: By offering valuable guidance for public administration professionals, the paper enhances the understanding of implementing ADM technologies in administrative practice. Its insights assist policymakers and legislators in crafting regulations that embrace the benefits of AI while ensuring these systems are subject to proper oversight. Research/Practical/Social Implications: The deployment of ADM systems must align with legal principles to maintain transparency, accountability, and the protection of fundamental rights. This paper highlights the importance of not only understanding the legal implications but also ensuring that ADM technologies uphold standards of good governance. Originality/Value: This research extends the boundaries of established legal frameworks and raises critical questions about how core principles of administrative and data protection law can adapt to new technologies. The challenge lies in leveraging AI to increase efficiency while ensuring these innovations respect individual rights, safeguard the public interest, and uphold standards of good administration and governance.

• Language: English
• Keywords: administrative law, administrative procedures, artificial intelligence, automated decision-making, good administration, legal principles, personal data protection
• Work type: Article
• Typology: 1.01 - Original Scientific Article
• Organization: FU - Faculty of Administration
• Publication status: Published
• Publication version: Version of Record
• Year: 2024
• Number of pages: Str. 83-108, 255-256
• Numbering: Vol. 22, iss. 2
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-165643
• UDC: 342:004.8(497.4)
• ISSN on article: 2591-2240
• DOI: 10.17573/cepar.2024.2.04
• COBISS.SI-ID: 218434563
• Publication date in RUL: 11.12.2024

Record is a part of a journal

• Title: Central European public administration review
• Shortened title: CEPAR
• Publisher: Fakulteta za upravo
• ISSN: 2591-2240
• COBISS.SI-ID: 293849600

Licences

• License: CC BY-SA 4.0, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International
• Link: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/
• Description: This Creative Commons license is very similar to the regular Attribution license, but requires the release of all derivative works under this same license.

Secondary language

• Language: Slovenian
• Title: Vloga avtomatiziranega odločanja v sodobnem upravnem pravu : izzivi in posledice za varstvo podatkov

Abstract

Namen: Vključevanje umetne inteligence v avtomatizirano odločanje je prelomen trenutek za javno upravo. Prispevek obravnava uvedbo sistemov avtomatiziranega odločanja v upravne postopke, zlasti njihov vpliv na varstvo osebnih podatkov in temeljna načela upravnega prava. Zasnova/metodologija/pristop: Študija s pomočjo deskriptivne, normativne in dogmatske metode proučuje nedavne zakonodajne pobude in analizira izbrane primere uporabe avtomatiziranega odločanja v Sloveniji in tujini. Ob tem podrobneje analizira odločitev Sodišča EU iz leta 2023 v zadevi Schufa. S kombinacijo teoretičnih vidikov in praktičnih spoznanj študija ponuja primerjalno analizo evropskega in slovenskega zakonodajnega okvira. Ugotovitve: Prispevek presoja vpliv avtomatiziranega odločanja na ključna načela upravnega prava in varstva podatkov ter osvetljuje zakonodajne, organizacijske in tehnološke spremembe, potrebne za zagotovitev skladnosti avtomatiziranega določanja z obstoječo zakonodajo. Akademski doprinos k znanosti: Prispevek ponuja dragocene smernice za upravnopravno stroko in tako izboljšuje razumevanje uvajanja tehnologij avtomatiziranega odločanja v upravno prakso. Njegove ugotovitve so oblikovalcem politik in zakonodajalcem lahko v pomoč pri oblikovanju predpisov, ki vključujejo prednosti umetne inteligence, hkrati pa zagotavljajo, da so ti sistemi ustrezno nadzorovani. Raziskovalne/praktične/družbene posledice: Uvedba avtomatiziranega odločanja mora biti usklajena s pravnimi načeli, da se ohranijo preglednost, odgovornost in varstvo temeljnih pravic. Prispevek poudarja, da je pomembno ne le razumeti pravne posledice, temveč tudi zagotoviti, da tehnologije avtomatiziranega odločanja spoštujejo standarde dobrega upravljanja. Izvirnost/vrednost: Študija premika meje uveljavljenih pravnih okvirov in odpira kritična vprašanja o tem, kako temeljna načela upravnega prava in varstva podatkov prilagoditi novim tehnologijam. Umetno inteligenco vsekakor velja izkoristiti za povečanje učinkovitosti, hkrati pa je treba zagotoviti, da inovacije spoštujejo pravice posameznikov, varujejo javni interes ter podpirajo standarde dobre uprave in dobrega upravljanja.

• Keywords: upravno pravo, upravni postopki, umetna inteligenca, avtomatizirano odločanje, dobra uprava, pravna načela, varstvo osebnih podatkov