## 4 Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Its Application in e-Government  
e-Government is a vital factor in the effective delivery of government services to citizens and decision-makers. Its goal is to increase efficiency and reduce the cost of services through digitization and automation of processes. With the advancement of technology, governments are seeking to integrate advanced technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT), in order to enhance the functionality and effectiveness of their digital services [29; 30]. However, to achieve a comprehensive transformation, governments must overcome critical challenges related to interoperability, data security, sustainability and ethical use of technology (Figure 2). Artificial Intelligence (AI) allows for the improvement of e-Government services through automated systems capable of processing huge amounts of data and supporting governments in decision-making [31; 32; 33; 34]. Integrating AI techniques into e-Government systems can lead to process optimization, better citizen service, increased transparency and faster response to citizen needs. Governments can use machine learning and deep learning technologies to analyze data and predict needs, such as traffic management, public safety and environmental pollution monitoring. AI can also enhance information security and help detect and prevent cyber-attacks, protecting citizens' data. On the other hand, the Internet of Things (IoT) also plays an important role in e-Government, as it allows for the collection and analysis of data from sensors, cameras and other smart devices in real time [35; 36; 37; 38]. IoT applications in e-Government include traffic management, environmental monitoring, urban security, smart agriculture and e-health. Through IoT, governments can receive more accurate and timely information about the condition of infrastructure and take immediate interventions to prevent problems. However, the widespread adoption of AI and IoT in e-Government faces challenges. One of the biggest issues is interoperability, as government systems and data need to be integrated and communicate with each other through common standards. In addition, data security and privacy are key concerns, as the collection and storage of personal information can expose citizens to risks of data breaches and cyber-attacks. Contributing to deterrence, AI and IoT can be used to enhance security through anomaly detection algorithms that identify suspicious activities in real time. Additionally, environmental sustainability is another important factor, as the use of IoT and AI requires huge computing resources, which can increase energy consumption. To address this issue, governments need to invest in energy-efficient data centers and green technologies. Another critical issue is the ethical challenges associated with the use of AI, as the algorithms used for decision-making may exhibit bias and create issues of trustworthiness and transparency. To effectively implement these technologies, it is proposed to develop an integrated framework that will allow governments to combine AI and IoT into a common system,  
Figure 2: Generic description of data entry into IoT-enabled AI system. which will optimize public services and ensure data protection. Governments must invest in partnerships with academic and research institutions, promote legislative regulations that ensure transparency and privacy protection, and strengthen citizens' digital education so that they can fully utilize the potential of digital services. All of the above topics are schematically described in the image below which summarizes the concepts and relationships. Summarizing, the integration of Artificial Intelligence and the Internet of Things in e-Government can lead to a smarter, clearer and more efficient public administration, provided that the challenges related to security, interoperability and ethical use of technology are addressed.