Cybersecurity in governing artificial intelligence – the case of Polish cities

Purpose – This paper aims to investigate the impact of cybersecurity on the effectiveness of artificial intelligence (AI) utilization in the public sector. This issue is a significant research concern due to data sensitivity and protection, the legitimization of actions and the prevention of disinformation, sabotage or manipulation. Design/methodology/approach – This paper is based on empirical research conducted through surveys with public managers in 300 randomly selected cities across Poland during the last quarter of 2024. Findings – The findings identify cybersecurity factors and potential effects of AI that can be amplified or compromised by cyberthreats. They reveal that cybersecurity factors, such as an agile approach and a robust privacy policy, are crucial in ensuring the effectiveness of AI. They also indicate that high service quality and access to current data are most significantly affected by cybersecurity. Consequently, the findings demonstrate how cybersecurity can impact the effectiveness of AI in the public sector. Originality/value – Many studies treat AI as a tool for enhancing cybersecurity, but they often overlook that these technologies are also susceptible to cyber threats. By examining the impact of cybersecurity on AI effectiveness in the public sector, this article takes a different perspective.