Algoritmisk styrning och demokratiska utmaningar : En kritisk analys av AI-implementering inom svensk socialtjänst

Sammanfattning

This study examines the implementation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) within Swedish social services, focusing on five municipalities: Helsingborg, Malmö, Sundsvall, Nacka, and Lund. The research analyzes how AI influences power dynamics, decision-making processes, and democratic values within this sector. Employing a qualitative approach with a constructionist perspective, the study relies on document and text analysis of policy documents, project descriptions, and public statements. The theoretical framework integrates perspectives on algorithmic governance, deliberative, and participatory democracy, alongside Foucault's concepts of power, to scrutinize both technical and socio-political dimensions. Findings indicate that municipalities primarily motivate AI implementation with efficiency gains and reduced administrative burdens. However, approaches vary significantly, ranging from Robotic Process Automation (RPA) in Helsingborg, and predictive models in Malmö, to generative AI in Sundsvall, and decision- support systems in Nacka, and Lund. The analysis identifies significant democratic challenges, including issues of transparency, accountability, and potential power shifts involving professionals, management, and clients. While AI offers potential benefits, such as freeing up time for relational social work, risks include prioritizing standardization over professional judgment, algorithmic bias, and unresolved ethical and legal questions. The study concludes that successful and ethical AI implementation requires a careful balance between technical efficiency, democratic values, and professional ethics. It highlights the transformative nature of AI, posing critical questions about governance, professionalism, and power within the welfare state. Keywords: Artificial intelligence, AI, social services, algorithmic governance, democratic values, power relations, professional autonomy, ethical implementation, Swedish municipalities, public sector, welfare state, transparency, accountability, sustainable self- sufficiency.