AI och byråkrati : En effektiviseringsprocess i motvind?

Sammanfattning

This study explores how employees in the public sector experience changes within their jobs as artificial intelligence (AI) is being implemented into their bureaucratic organization. By using qualitative method based on semistructured interviews, this study examines how AI affect job tasks, professional roles and distribution of responsibility and power. The interviews were performed with people coming from different public organizations that work with AI or are somehow being affected by AI in their job, allowing a variety of experiences and perspectives. The results showed that AI often is seen as a helpful and efficient support, especially in doing administrative tasks, but the usage of AI is being restricted by organizational barriers. This creates a sense of being ready for change, but the change is restricted, a condition that we describe as an organizational standby-mode. The results also show how AI is shifting the kinds of skills and job requirements that are needed and also affects how control and power are exercised in the workplace. The analysis was done thematically with support from previous studies that shows a hint of similar patterns, where AIs potential is often being held back by structural “slowness” and unclear responsibilities. By using theories from Max Weber, Robert Karasek and Michel Foucault we analyze how AI interacts with both individual autonomy and organizational structures. Our analysis shows that employees internalize expectations on efficiency, even when the organizational support is weak or limited. This creates an imbalance between job demands and actual control over their jobs. The study also provides insights about the tensions between technical solutions and the bureaucratic reality within public organisations. Overall, our conclusions show that a successful integration of AI in organizations does not only require technical resources but also clear guidelines, strong organizational support and room for ethical reflection in everyday work.