AI and automation open up new possibilities for public administration and the judiciary. They can speed up processes, simplify access and make government services more understandable and service-oriented. However, digitally supported procedures do not in themselves create a service-oriented state that consistently organises services from the perspective of citizens, businesses and those seeking justice.

This brings the structural transformation of public service delivery to the fore: what matters is not merely which technologies are used, but whether laws, processes, responsibilities and infrastructure are designed in such a way that automation can be implemented effectively. Where existing structures are merely digitised, potential remains untapped. Where processes are reimagined, AI and digital services can reduce complexity and noticeably ease the burden on staff.

The plenary session asks:

• What conditions must a state fulfil if it genuinely wishes to operate in a service-oriented manner?
• How must laws, processes and responsibilities be structured so that AI and automation can be deployed effectively?
• And what does this transformation mean for citizens, businesses, those seeking legal advice and the legal market?