This conference, organized by the Centre on Governance in collaboration with the School of Political Studies, explores the growing inclusion of technological tools in public administrations and the challenges it raises for public policy-making, instrument choice and the transformation of public servants' conduct and roles.

Bringing together three researchers, the conference opens with a lecture by Dr. Bethany Waterhouse-Bradley from Ulster University on the effects of integrating artificial intelligence into the policymaking process in place of the discretion of street-level bureaucrats and policy entrepreneurs.

The presentation will be followed by Dr. Maria Verónica Elias from the University of Texas at San Antonio, who, through the case of police videotaping their interventions, argues that administrative decisions mainly base on video footage challenge other types of knowledge that are crucial for understanding a situation. Dr. Elias also questions the effects this has on accountability and democratic governance.

Finally, Dr. Christopher Cooper of the University of Ottawa, drawing on the Australian case, will discuss the potential threat that political activity on social media poses to the impartiality of public administrators.

The presentations will be in English; questions can be asked in French.

Coffee and refreshments will be provided.