Public Administration Perspective

Artificial Intelligence in the Context of Digital Transformation: A Diagnostic Reappraisal of Concepts and Applications

Document Type : Research Article (with qualitative approaches)

Authors

1 The Faculty of Governance, of Tehran University

2 Islamic Azad University - The Central Tehran Branch

Abstract

Purpose: The primary objective of this article is to provide precise answers and establish a robust foundation for a deeper understanding of the concepts and applications of artificial intelligence within the context of digital transformation. This is achieved by addressing questions regarding the concept of intelligentization and its distinction from the implementation of artificial intelligence, the relationship of automation with these concepts, the general stages and priorities in implementing intelligent models, and ultimately, the nature of digital transformation from the perspective of its relationship with intelligence and intelligentization.
Design/ methodology/ approach: The research in this study was conducted using the "qualitative content analysis" method, which serves as a framework for data analysis. This method, in the present article, with its systematic yet flexible mechanism, is shaped by an emphasis on social phenomenological narratives and focuses on extracting themes, patterns, and latent concepts from textual data. Generally, this method aims to interpret social phenomena to understand the context, hidden intentions, and semantic structures within documents. The textual data for this research were obtained by reviewing a collection of over 50 books, articles, reports, and specialized scientific texts related to digital transformation, intelligentization, and artificial intelligence, as well as their conceptual understanding and functionality, with additional use of the MAXQDA software.
Research Findings: The article, in its findings section, presents a dual perspective on the phenomenon of digital transformation, addressing ambiguities, redefining concepts, roles, functions, and some fundamental characteristics. First, it examines the technical evolution, starting with a detailed exploration of the digital transformation trajectory, from its precursor in the first industrial revolution, namely "mechanization," to the recognition of "automation," "artificial intelligence," and "intelligentization." It provides a summary of the historical growth trajectory, the characteristics of each, and the subtle differences between them, primarily focusing on understanding the technical features of the stages of digital transformation. The second perspective focuses on analyzing changes in processes, not from the perspective of technical events, but from the transformations in mechanisms and capabilities achieved in businesses and industries, succinctly explaining the stages from digitization to digital transformation. These two perspectives complement each other clearly, providing an accurate portrayal of the defined concepts.
Limitations & Consequences: One of the limitations affecting the progress of this research was the time constraint, given the volume of literature and concerns related to the article's objective, which naturally hindered conducting a comprehensive study and presenting an ideal conceptual framework. Therefore, prioritizing concepts from the perspective of addressing fundamental issues in this field was adopted, and as evident in the article's concluding section, broader exploration and extending the research to more complex layers of the discussion domain have been strongly recommended for defining future steps. Another significant limitation, given the qualitative nature of the research based on content data analysis, was the access to the full text of some documents and articles, which in practice led to suboptimal utilization of the details and in-depth layers of certain theories. Nevertheless, the current research endeavored to maximize the use of available resources, and concurrently, efforts were made to establish connections with research colleagues at leading global universities to access some of these resources.
Practical Consequences: The research team believes that the output of this study can lead to restructuring and organizing the perceptual layers regarding some fundamental concepts related to artificial intelligence and digital transformation for audiences in the country at all three levels of governance, academia, and industry. It is evident that this will foster greater intellectual convergence and lay a more effective foundation for developmental and promotional programs in the targeted domain.
Innovation or value of the Article: The focus on a deeper understanding, achieved through simplifying and organizing the highly complex mechanisms of some fundamental concepts in the field of artificial intelligence and digital transformation, can be considered the originality of this article.
Paper Type: Original Paper
 

Keywords

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Public Administration Perspective
Volume 16, Issue 2 - Serial Number 62
July 2025
Pages 80-103