AI in Governance: Is Nicușor Dan Launching an AI Project for Public Decisions?

Amid political and economic turmoil, Romania is looking towards a new governance paradigm: implementing artificial intelligence (AI) in public decision-making. Following centrist pro-EU Nicușor Dan’s win and the alliance of PSD, PNL, USR, and UDMR forming a coalition under Prime Minister-designate Ilie Bolojan, the possibility of an AI-backed initiative emerges—promising transparency and efficiency. But what does AI in governance truly entail, and how far is the President willing to go?

Background & Context

• Political climate: Dan’s consultations at Cotroceni, VAT hike debates, and coalition deal shape the political agenda, alongside innovation discussions apnews.com+1spotmedia.ro+1.

• Global trends: Governments worldwide are piloting AI for spending oversight, economic forecasting, and automating services.

• Potential aims in Romania:

  • Fiscal analytics and budget optimization,

  • Predictive economic modeling,

  • Policy transparency and anti-corruption tools,

  • Administrative automation and AI-assisted legislation.

What the AI-in-Governance Project Could Be

1. Decision-support platform: ML models simulate economic scenarios to assess VAT hikes, public spending adjustments, and strategic fiscal goals.

2. Real-time monitoring dashboard: Live tracking of budget deficit, expenditures, investments.

3. Public-facing chatbot / Open-Gov portal: Citizens can ask budget questions, access initiatives, and report issues transparently and securely.

Interesting Facts

• VAT dispute: Dan (opposed) vs. Bolojan (pro raise)—AI could simulate budgetary impacts instantly wsj.com+1reuters.com+1.

• Coalition data analysis: PSD required internal vote (5,000+ members)—AI could support member surveys, data analytics, and vote prediction libertatea.ro+1apnews.com+1.

• Bolojan’s administrative track record: He managed budgets as mayor and county head—an operational blueprint for scaling to national AI systems libertatea.ro+12digi24.ro+12reuters.com+12.

Opinions

• Pros:

  • Efficiency and transparency—data-driven decisions over political subjectivity.

  • Automated corruption detection and real-time fiscal monitoring.

  • Smart budgeting—fast scenario simulation reduces financial risk.

• Cons / Risks:

  • Overreliance on technology—“AI excuse” for diffused human responsibility.

  • Legal and data governance challenges—AI regulation is nascent in the EU.

  • Algorithmic bias and misuse—raising concerns of accountability and ethical AI.

Conclusion

The AI-in-governance initiative by Nicușor Dan and the coalition government could revolutionize public administration through better prediction, transparency, and fiscal discipline. Yet success hinges on regulation, data protection, digital infrastructure, and human capacity-building. Technology is an enabler—its impact depends on how it’s used.