“We live in a world that is constantly experiencing multiple crises. Over the past decade they’ve chased one another, demanding solutions that are flexible and oriented to current issues and needs, to technological and other changes. That is exactly what intelligent governance is for: a form of governance that brings communities and other stakeholders into decision-making, seeking expert knowledge and consulting, collaborating,” explains Assoc. Prof. Dr. Jurga Bučaitė-Vilkė, Head of the Department of Sociology at Vytautas Magnus University (VMU) and Acting Director of the Vytautas Kavolis Institute for Interdisciplinary Research. Together with other experts from Lithuania and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), she took part in the scientific conference “Human and More-Than-Human Futures: Innovating Technologies for Coexistence” in Vilnius and Kaunas.
The researcher notes that intelligent governance means a mode of governing that involves not only companies or institutions, but also ordinary citizens and representatives from different fields: experts and communities. This is especially relevant today, as data processing relies increasingly on technological solutions, artificial intelligence, and algorithms. However, the real world requires decisions that are not only precise but also sensitive to context.
“For example, in wartime, intelligence data is used to decide where an offensive should be organized. An algorithm, based on dry numbers, might indicate that a strike should target units located next to a school. But from a human perspective, you can’t bomb or shell schools. These are ethical dilemmas that are especially pressing now, for instance in Ukraine,” says Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bučaitė-Vilkė.
According to the political sociologist, at the municipal level, intelligent governance can take the form of various civic-participation initiatives, such as participatory budgeting. This is a decision-making process in which city residents propose ideas for the use of funds and contribute to governance by voting democratically. In Lithuania over the past five years, participatory budgeting has already become the norm: 52 out of 60 municipalities implement it. In total, over the past seven years residents have jointly decided on the use of about 20 million euros.
Without emotional and cultural sensitivity, there will be no results
The concept of intelligent governance was developed by visiting researcher at VMU’s Vytautas Kavolis Institute for Transdisciplinary Research, Prof. Dr. Eran Vigoda-Gadot from the University of Haifa (Israel). According to him, intelligent governance is the capacity to integrate knowledge and abilities from different participants – people, organizations, and machines – and turn them into decisions based on reliable data and aimed at the benefit of citizens. Algorithms and data are essential, but without emotional and cultural sensitivity they will not yield sustainable results.
“Intelligent governance in cities enables citizens to receive better, more accessible services, governance becomes more accountable and transparent. It allows as many individuals as possible to be involved in the process of policymaking and make an impact. And not just before elections,” explains Prof. Dr. Vigoda-Gadot, citing Washington and cities in South Korea and China as examples of intelligent governance. He also highlights Helsinki, where the participatory budgeting initiative “OmaStadi” operates: for 2025–2026, the city is allocating 10 million euros to implement the residents’ proposals.
International studies confirm that such initiatives work: when people feel their voice has power, trust in government rises. According to a 2024 survey by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), as many as 69 percent of people who feel they can influence government actions trust the national government, while among those who don’t feel that way, only 22 percent do.
An overly “intelligent” government is a threat to democracy
On the other hand, Prof. Dr. Vigoda-Gadot notes that such governance can also be harmful to citizens. For example, if the government starts spying on people, tracking them, and abusing their data.
“I’m asked from time to time, ‘Shouldn’t we be afraid of the government becoming too “intelligent”?’ Obviously, if it amasses too much power, when a lot of sensitive information ends up in the hands of powerful people, politicians, decision-makers, and so on. This creates many legal and ethical complications,” says the University of Haifa scholar, emphasizing the importance of ensuring democracy, clear data governance standards, and accountability.
“The better we apply the principles of intelligent governance, the more we can increase political stability, trust, and willingness to participate, which is an important part of democracy. But safeguards are necessary to ensure there is no single actor who holds all the knowledge and all the power,” the professor concludes.
Inspiring collaboration with MIT
Prof. Dr. Vigoda-Gadot and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bučaitė-Vilkė delivered their talk on intelligent governance at the conference “Human and More-Than-Human Futures: Innovating Technologies for Coexistence.” The event in Vilnius and Kaunas brought together experts from Lithuania and MIT to examine topics such as artificial intelligence, climate change, strengthening defense, and more. It was organized by a consortium of twelve leading Lithuanian universities, research centers, and companies coordinated by Vytautas Magnus University (VMU).
The conference took place after an agreement was signed earlier this year between MIT’s Center for International Studies, MIT International Science and Technology Initiatives (MISTI), and Lithuanian research and business partners. Thanks to the agreement, closer collaboration with the prestigious U.S. university is expected, strengthening Lithuania’s visibility as a center of innovation and technology and creating high-skilled jobs.
According to Prof. Dr. Vigoda-Gadot, collaboration with MIT should also help in exploring intelligent governance. “It’s important for us to gather inspiration and innovation in this field of integrating machines and technologies into governance at the municipal or national level, implementing better policies in healthcare, social welfare, security, and education. As a leading institution, MIT has both the technological capabilities and the knowledge that will help us improve. It’s an excellent initiative,” the scholar notes.
VMU’s Acting Director of the Vytautas Kavolis Institute for Interdisciplinary Research, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Jurga Bučaitė-Vilkė, says that among the first cooperation plans that will support further research into intelligent governance are the newly established ties with MIT’s Governance Lab (GOV/LAB). This lab conducts research on citizen engagement, accountability, and trust in government.
The conference Human and More-Than-Human Futures: Innovating Technologies for Coexistence was organized by the Lithuanian Consortium and supported by the Research Council of Lithuania and Northway Biotech.
Members of the Lithuanian Consortium for collaboration with MIT: coordinator Vytautas Magnus University, Kaunas University of Technology, Klaipėda University, Vilnius University, Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, Vilnius Academy of Arts, Lithuanian Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry, Lithuanian Energy Institute, AB Ignitis Group, LTG Group, UAB Euromonitor International – Eastern Europe, and UAB Novian.
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