Automating government decision-making : implications for the rule of law

![CDATA[Automation promises to improve a wide range of processes. The introduction of controlled procedures and systems in place of human labour can enhance efficiency as well as certainty and consistency. It is thus unsurprising that automation is being embraced by the private sector in fields including pharmaceuticals, retail, banking and transport. Automation also promises like benefits to government. It has the potential to make governments – and even whole democratic systems – more accurate, more efficient and fairer. As a result, several nations have become enthusiastic adopters of automation in fields such as welfare allocation and the criminal justice system. While not a recent development, automated systems that support or replace human decision-making in government are increasingly being used.]]