Readiness of Slovenian public administration for artificial intelligence: case of state administration bodies : Master’s Thesis

Jeram, Rok (author), Aristovnik, Aleksander (mentor), Tomaževič, Nina (comentor)

The Slovenian public administration has adopted Artificial Intelligence (AI) strategies, yet its operational readiness for AI adoption remains uncertain. This thesis assessed AI readiness within Slovenia’s state administration bodies and aimed to synthesise established frameworks into a multi-dimensional readiness profile, identify key gaps and barriers, and contextualise Slovenia internationally through comparison with selected countries. A mixed-methods research strategy with a convergent parallel design was employed, combining a quantitative structured survey of the heads of state administration bodies with qualitative analysis of open-ended responses and relevant strategic documents. This design provided measurable insights alongside an in-depth contextual understanding of AI readiness. Findings indicated a moderate yet imbalanced level of readiness, creating a willing but unable posture. A supportive organisational culture with a high willingness to innovate was undermined by pronounced deficiencies in key capabilities, notably technological infrastructure, workforce skills, and clear strategic as well as legal-regulatory guidance. No statistically significant differences in overall AI readiness were found between types of state administration bodies, suggesting that challenges were systemic and widespread. International benchmarking showed that Slovenia remained mid-pack and behind the frontrunners, with the 2019–2024 trend mixed rather than steadily improving. In practical terms, the study underscores the need for a co-ordinated, whole-of-government approach. It recommends centralised initiatives, such as shared technical infrastructure, targeted training programmes, and clear regulatory guidance in order to bridge readiness gaps efficiently and enable consistent, effective AI adoption across the public sector.

• Language: English
• Keywords: umetna inteligenca, pripravljenost na UI, javna uprava, državna uprava, mešane metode
• Work type: Master's thesis/paper
• Typology: 2.09 - Master's Thesis
• Organization: FU - Faculty of Administration
• Place of publishing: Ljubljana
• Publisher: [R. Jeram]
• Year: 2026
• Number of pages: X, 135 str.
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-179342
• UDC: 35:004.8(497.4)(043.2)
• COBISS.SI-ID: 269643267
• Publication date in RUL: 11.02.2026

Secondary language

• Language: Slovenian
• Title: Pripravljenost slovenske javne uprave na uvedbo umetne inteligence: primer organov državne uprave

Abstract

Slovenska javna uprava je sprejela strateške usmeritve na področju umetne inteligence (UI), vendar njena pripravljenost na uvedbo UI ostaja negotova. Magistrsko delo je ocenilo pripravljenost organov državne uprave na uvedbo UI. Namen raziskave je bil zagotoviti diagnostično podlago za odločevalce in vodstva, da lahko bolje usmerjajo politike in upravljavske ukrepe ter umestijo slovensko stanje v mednarodni kontekst. Raziskava je uporabila mešani raziskovalni pristop s konvergentno vzporedno zasnovo, ki je združeval kvantitativno anketo med predstojniki organov državne uprave ter kvalitativno tematsko analizo odgovorov in relevantnih dokumentov. Tak pristop je zagotovil merljive vpoglede in poglobljeno razumevanje pripravljenosti na uvedbo UI. Ugotovitve so pokazale zmerno, a neuravnoteženo raven pripravljenosti, kar je ustvarilo stanje pripravljenosti, toda obenem nezmožnosti. Podporna organizacijska kultura je bila oslabljena zaradi izrazitih pomanjkljivosti v ključnih zmogljivostih, zlasti v tehnološki infrastrukturi, znanju delovne sile in jasnih strateških ter pravno-regulativnih smernicah. Med vrstami državnih organov statistično značilnih razlik v pripravljenosti na UI ni bilo, kar kaže na sistemsko naravo izzivov. Mednarodna primerjava je pokazala, da je Slovenija ostajala v sredini primerjalne skupine in za vodilnimi državami, pri čemer je bil trend v obdobju 2019–2024 mešan in ni izkazoval stalnega napredka. Praktični pomen raziskave je v potrebi po usklajenem, celovitem pristopu na ravni državne uprave. Namesto razdrobljenih prizadevanj posameznih organov raziskava priporoča centralizirane pobude, kot so vzpostavitev skupne tehnične infrastrukture, ciljani programi usposabljanja in jasna regulativna podpora, da se učinkovito premostijo vrzeli v pripravljenosti. Tak pristop naslavlja sistemske vrzeli in omogoča bolj enotno ter učinkovito uvedbo UI v državni upravi.

• Keywords: artificial intelligence, AI readiness, public administration, state administration, mixed methods