Swedish government agencies caught 'machinewashing' AI benefits to the public
A new study reveals that public sector officials are selectively highlighting AI success stories while downplaying risks and failures—a tactic previously associated with corporate lobbying. The findings suggest governments may be shaping citizens' views of AI adoption through strategic storytelling rather than honest assessment, raising questions about democratic accountability in digital policy.
Originaltitel: Public Sector Machinewashing: A Double-edged Sword
**Offentlig sektor använder "machinewashing" för att sälja AI-adoption** Svenska myndigheter presenterar AI-implementeringar genom selektivt utvalda framgångshistorier snarare än objektiv resultatrapportering. En ny studie av Göteborgs universitet analyserar myndighetskommunikation om AI-nytta mellan 2023 och 2025 och identifierar mönster som liknar den privata sektorns lobbying kring AI-reglering. Forskarna dokumenterade hur offentliga aktörer framhäver kollektiv nytta och etiska utgångspunkter, medan misslyckanden och begränsningar utelämnas från stakeholder-kommunikationen. Denna "machinewashing" påverkar vilka AI-investeringar som godkänns och hur digitala framtidsmöjligheter definieras. För beslutsfattare innebär det att underlaget för AI-satsningar kan vara skevt. Kommuner och statliga organ riskerar att fatta investeringsbeslut på ofullständig information. Studien pekar på behovet av transparentare resultatrapportering innan nya AI-projekt skalförgrenas.
Visions and imaginaries on the benefits of AI adoption play a defining role in shaping society, both present and future. By examining communication around AI development within a large government agency, this paper offers insight into hitherto overlooked performative, partial and political dimensions of the public sector’s AI narratives. The study draws on documentation and promotion of outcomes and benefits from AI adoption presented to stakeholders across the Swedish public sector between 2023 and 2025. The analysis by analogy indicates that the communication around AI adoption follows patterns of machinewashing commonly associated with private sector lobbying concerning statutes regulating AI on the grounds of collective good and ethically desirable outcomes. The paper contributes to understanding the public sector’s role in the shaping of digital futures and highlights the implications of selective storytelling for research as well as practice.