Transparent Process Research Articles

The role of ETSI in the EU’s regulation and governance of artificial intelligence

This paper explores the significant role that standardisation plays in the regulation and governance of artificial intelligence (AI) within the European Union (EU). As AI technologies rapidly advance, they bring about important societal implications involving privacy, fairness, transparency and other relevant ethical considerations. As a result, legislators and policymakers around the world are joined by a common drive to provide legislative solutions and regulatory frameworks that guarantee that the ongoing integration of AI systems into society is consistent with fundamental rights and democratic values. This paper critically examines the EU Regulation on AI (AI Act), which delegates the definition of essential requirements for high-risks AI systems to harmonised standards, underlying the significance of standardisation in ensuring technical feasibility and compliance with EU laws and values. At the forefront of this discussion there is the increasing influence of AI-related standardisation across social, economic, and geopolitical domains, with a particular focus on the crucial role played by Standard Developing Organisations (SDOs) in the regulatory and governance processes. This paper contributes to the legal scholarship by critically analysing the regulatory approach chosen for the EU’s AI Act, contesting the adequacy of the New Legislative Framework (NLF) for AI governance, and arguing that the reliance on harmonised standards risks undermining democratic accountability and fails to sufficiently safeguard fundamental rights without a more inclusive and transparent standard-setting process. The article focuses on the exclusion of the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) from the European Commissions standardisation request in support of the AI Act, and asseses its potential impact on EU law-making and regulatory consistency. Ultimately, the analysis aims to contribute to the understanding of standardisation dynamics, offering insights into its profound implications for AI governance and the broader digital sphere.

Constitutional and legal responsibility of subjects of the election process: general principles

The scientific article examines and analyzes the general principles of the constitutional and legal responsibility of the subjects of the election process. It has been established that legal responsibility in constitutional law means social and public legal responsibility for violation of the current constitutional legislation of Ukraine. This responsibility can be both direct, the types and extent of which are established by the constitutional legislation of Ukraine (constitutional-legal responsibility), and indirect, the types and extent of which are determined by other branches of Ukrainian law. It was determined that the normative basis of constitutional and legal responsibility is the establishment of actual illegal actions in constitutional and legislative acts that cause constitutional and legal responsibility. The actual basis for the emergence of constitutional-legal responsibility is a constitutional offense committed by the subject of constitutional-legal relations. The procedural basis for the emergence of constitutional liability is a decision made by the relevant body (official) regarding a constitutional offense. It is emphasized that the constitutional and legal responsibility of the subjects of the election process ensures the correct course of elections and compliance with democratic principles, and also guarantees that the elections are held openly, honestly and taking into account the rights and interests of all citizens. Its legislative regulation and optimal practical application is critical for ensuring democracy, legitimacy and stability of government, as it includes compliance with constitutional norms, protection of voters’ rights, ensuring the honesty and transparency of the electoral process and protection of the constitutional order in the country. In summary, when analyzing the essence of the constitutional and legal responsibility of the subjects of the election process, it should be taken into account that the basis for this responsibility is their constitutional and legal nature and status. Constitutional and legal responsibility for violation of election legislation has a significant political color, as it is determined by the subject’s participation in election processes that relate to the organization of elections and their conduct; determination of who should exercise state power; covers the interaction between the state and citizens and reflects the desire of subjects to achieve power and influence on the formation of general decisions of the state, including their leading role in this process.

Addressing uncertainty in Participatory Integrated Assessment: qualitative modeling approach for risk estimation

Participatory Integrated Assessment (PIA) has become a vital tool for decision-making for sustainable development, but it faces significant challenges due to the inherent uncertainty of socio-ecological systems. Uncertainty arises from multiple sources, such as incomplete data, knowledge gaps, and unpredictable events, which can lead to inadequate risk estimations and potentially undermine the effectiveness of environmental planning efforts. To address these challenges, this study proposes a qualitative modeling approach for risk estimation in PIA. The approach employs Decision Making under Deep Uncertainty (DMDU) to combine qualitative insights and information from stakeholders with available quantitative data. It allows for the exploration of alternative future states of the world and the identification of robust scenarios that promote sustainable development. The effectiveness of the proposed approach is demonstrated through the Ecological Ordinance of Yucatán, Mexico, a policy-making tool for multi-sectoral environmental planning. The study shows how qualitative DMDU can identify critical uncertainties and provide insights into regional management strategies. It also emphasizes the importance of stakeholder engagement and transparency in the decision-making process. Overall, this study presents a promising approach for addressing multiple forms of uncertainty in PIA and improving ecological risk estimation for decision-making in complex socio-ecological systems.

Conceptualisation of the Regulatory Framework of Green Infrastructure for Urban Development: Identifying Barriers and Drivers

Urban green infrastructure plays a crucial role in sustainable city development by offering a multitude of benefits, including improved environmental quality, increased social well-being, and enhanced economic prosperity. Evaluation and monitoring of regulatory implementation stand as essential components in the advancement of urban green infrastructure (GI) as they indicate the efficacy of regulatory acts and enable the assessment of their implementation success and adaptability to identified needs. This study identifies barriers and drivers based on the views of 352 professionals surveyed between 2018 and 2023 in Serbia. The primary data collection method employed questionnaire surveys. This study identified a range of barriers within existing legal frameworks, foremost of which include the lack of coordination and coherence between relevant ministries and governmental agencies, insufficient financial and human resources, the lack of transparency in the regulation development process, the need for strengthening technical capacities, and the absence of an adequate urban GI strategy. This research serves as a foundation for conceptualising GI regulatory elements that enhance urban GI development. Addressing these barriers necessitates efforts to improve coordination and collaboration among stakeholders, increase public participation, and enhance transparency in the regulatory process.

Designing a semi-automated decision-making system for selecting recipients of social services

The object of this research is the decision-making process in the context of selecting recipients of social services using a semi-automated expert system. The main focus is on improving the mechanisms of assessment and selection of candidates eligible for assistance, in order to ensure a more efficient and objective allocation of resources. The problem addressed in this study is the need to improve the accuracy and efficiency of decision-making processes in social services through the implementation of semi-automated systems. In particular, reducing subjective influence in selection processes, as well as reducing the time and resources required to process applications. The study shows that the introduction of a semi-automated system can significantly reduce the response time to applications, increase the accuracy of candidate selection and ensure greater transparency in the decision-making process. The system, based on data analysis algorithms and production rules, is able to adapt to changing conditions and requirements, providing solutions based on up-to-date information. The effectiveness of the semi-automated system is due to the use of modern technologies for processing large volumes of data and the use of complex mathematical models for the analysis of this data. The implementation of a modular system with individually adjustable parameters allows the system to accurately evaluate each case based on the expected criteria, ensuring a high level of adaptability and accuracy. The results of the research can be applied in practice in various social security institutions, where there is a need to automate the processes of selection and decision-making. Important conditions for the effective implementation of the system are the availability of sufficient technical support, a high level of qualification of the personnel engaged in putting the system into operation, as well as a clear understanding of the rules and procedures that regulate social protection. In addition, to guarantee the successful application of the system, it is necessary to ensure compliance with all regulatory and legislative requirements, especially regarding the protection of personal data.

Analisis Pengambilan Keputusan Pada Reformasi Sistematika Rekapitulasi Suara Pemilu 2024

This study analyzes the decision-making process regarding the policy of using the Sirekap application in the 2024 election vote recapitulation process using George R. Terry's rational decision-making theory with indicators of problem clarity, goal orientation, cognitive knowledge, clear preferences, and maximum results. The method used is a literature review by mapping the problem using Fishbone Diagram Analysis. The analysis identified root causes such as complex and manual election processes, infrastructure budget requirements, lack of supervision, and inefficient manual recapitulation. Recommendations include simplifying regulations, mapping areas with limited access, strengthening regulations related to the principles of election technology, and involving supervisory institutions. The use of Sirekap is expected to increase the speed, accuracy and transparency of the recapitulation process to maintain the credibility of election results.

Factors Influencing Parents’ Choice of Educational Institution in Challenging War Conditions: A Case Study of a Private Ukrainian School

ABSTRACT The study, conducted amidst the war in Ukraine in 2023, assesses the impact of schools’ decisions on families’ choices upon returning to the country. It involves surveying and analyzing data from interviews with parents of a Ukrainian private school. Findings highlight factors like child-centric approaches, fostering independence, and transparent school processes as crucial for parents. These trends, centered on returning to familiarity and building trust through transparent communication, offer guidance for other institutions in similar circumstances.

Improving Election Integrity: Blockchain and Byzantine Generals Problem Theory in Vote Systems

In the digital age, maintaining election integrity is critical, especially in Africa, where the security of electronic elections is often questioned. This study presents a blockchain-based vote counting and validation (BBVV) system developed using a mixed methods approach that combines stakeholder questionnaires to capture system specification and randomized historical election data analysis, following the Design Science Research strategy. Using the theory of the Byzantine General Problem, the BBVV protocol is proposed, which provides an accurate local count of votes at polling stations before national aggregation. The system was tested with randomized historical election data on the Algorand blockchain TestNet and confirmed that a local consensus on the vote count could be reached before it is added to the national tally on the blockchain. Our results show that in the cases where consensus was reached, this was the instance in only about 5% of the voting scenarios, with only 10% of the total vote being considered valid due to the strict consensus requirements. In addition, significant discrepancies were found between officials, with no consensus reached in 95% of cases which was due to the rogue values generated by a randomized dataset. The performance of the BBVV system was evaluated using transaction metrics, saturation, throughput, traffic, and latency to assess its efficiency, scalability, and reliability. The results suggest that blockchain technology can significantly improve the integrity of elections by ensuring a transparent, secure, and accurate vote-counting process. Future work will focus on improving the adaptability and scalability of the BBVV system for different electoral situations.

The DIKWP (Data, Information, Knowledge, Wisdom, Purpose) Revolution: A New Horizon in Medical Dispute Resolution

The doctor–patient relationship has received widespread attention as a significant global issue affecting people’s livelihoods. In clinical practice within the medical field, applying existing artificial intelligence (AI) technology presents issues such as uncontrollability, inconsistency, and lack of self-explanation capabilities, even raising concerns about ethics and morality. To address the problem of doctor–patient interaction differences arising from the doctor–patient diagnosis and treatment, we collected the textual content of doctor–patient dialogues in outpatient clinics of local first-class hospitals. We utilized case scenario analysis, starting from two specific cases: multi-patient visits with the same doctor and multi-doctor interaction differences with the same patient. By capturing the external interactions and the internal thought processes, we unify the external expressions and internal subjective cognition in doctor–patient interactions into interactions between data, information, knowledge, wisdom, and purpose (DIKWP) models. We propose a DIKWP semantic model for the doctor–patient interactions on both sides, including a DIKWP content model and a DIKWP cognitive model, to achieve transparency throughout the entire doctor–patient interaction process. We semantically–bidirectionally map the diagnostic discrepancy space to DIKWP uncertainty and utilize a purpose-driven DIKWP semantic fusion transformation technique to disambiguate the uncertainty problem. Finally, we select four traditional methods for qualitative and quantitative comparison with our proposed method. The results show that our method performs better in content and uncertainty handling. Overall, our proposed DIKWP semantic model for doctor–patient interaction processing breaks through the uncertainty limitations of natural language semantics in terms of interpretability, enhancing the transparency and interpretability of the medical process. It will help bridge the cognitive gap between doctors and patients, easing medical disputes.

Analyzing the Benefits and Costs of the Safe Step Act on Patients, Physicians, and Insurers

Pharmaceutical expenditures in the United States, particularly in dermatology, have grown rapidly, driven by expensive topical and biologic treatments. Insurers are employing cost-containing strategies such as step therapy, which mandates the use of lower-cost treatments before more expensive medications. The bipartisan Safe Step Act aims to enhance step therapy policies by introducing a transparent process for requesting exceptions and reasonable timelines for the process. However, there is limited analysis on how the Safe Step Act would affect the healthcare environment. We examine the policies of the Safe Step Act and existing literature on prior authorizations and discuss how the bill could affect patients, physicians, and insurers. While the act could expedite access to necessary medications and prevent irreversible harm to patients from delaying efficacious treatment, it falls short in relieving the administrative burdens on dermatology clinics. Although there is no ideal solution for managing healthcare costs, measures like step therapy encourage cost-effective treatments and optimizing care for the population. Curtailing step therapy with the exemptions process of the Safe Step Act might streamline patient access to treatments but could impede cost-containment strategies, weaken the bargaining power of insurers, and result in higher insurance premiums.

Partnering with consumers and practising clinicians to establish research priorities for public hospital maternity services.

Objective An innovative approach by two Queensland health services was taken to establish a shared maternity services' research agenda by partnering with consumers and clinicians. The objective was to set the top five research priorities to ensure that the future direction of maternity research was relevant to end-user and organisational needs. Methods A modified James Lind Alliance (JLA) methodology was applied between August 2022 and February 2023 across two south-east Queensland Health Services which included five participating maternity units and involved partnership with consumers, healthcare professionals and clinician researchers. The reporting guideline for priority setting of health research (REPRISE) was followed. Results There were 192 respondents to the initial harvesting survey, generating 461 research suggestions. These were aggregated into 122 unique questions and further summarised into a list of 44 research questions. The 157 eligible interim prioritisation survey respondents short-listed 27 questions ready for ranking at a final consensus workshop. The top five question themes were: (1) maternity care experience, engagement and outcomes of priority populations; (2) increasing spontaneous vaginal birth; (3) experiences and perceptions of woman/person-centred care; (4) best practice care during the 'fourth' trimester; and (5) antibiotic use during labour and birth. Conclusion Applying an adapted JLA framework can successfully shape and establish a research agenda within Australian health services, through partnership with consumers and practicing clinicians. This is a transparent process that strengthens the legitimacy and credibility of research agendas, and it can form a replicable framework for other settings.

Eksistensi Bawaslu Kabupaten Sukoharjo dalam Pengawasan Pemilihan Umum

The purpose of this study is to examine the role and authority of Bawaslu in Sukoharjo Regency in supervising the 2024 General Elections to ensure a democratic and fraud-free election process. This study employs an empirical juridical method, focusing on the application or implementation of normative legal provisions in legal events occurring within Bawaslu Sukoharjo Regency. The results indicate that Bawaslu Sukoharjo Regency plays a strategic role in overseeing all stages of the election process, from planning, implementation, to post-election stages. This authority is governed by Law No. 7 of 2017 on General Elections, Law No. 22 of 2007 on Election Organizers, and Bawaslu Regulation No. 13 of 2022 on Procedures for Election Supervision. In conclusion, Bawaslu Sukoharjo Regency plays a crucial role in maintaining the integrity and transparency of the election process. Through effective supervision, Bawaslu can prevent and address violations and fraud, thereby supporting the realization of a democratic and fair government.

E-Procurement in the Procurement System for Goods/Services by the Government in Indonesia: Perspective of Saddu al-Dhariah

This research is motivated by the release of Presidential Regulation No. 16 of 2018 concerning the Procurement of Goods/Services, which has three important stages: preparation, selection, and implementation. The issuance of this presidential rule aims to enhance the utilization of products from local Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). In the age of digitization, the Indonesian government has developed an electronic-based system known as e-procurement for the acquisition of products and services. This enhances the efficiency, effectiveness, competitiveness, transparency, fairness, accountability, and integrity of the procurement process, while also ensuring it is free from corrupt practices. This study aims to examine the e-procurement system in Indonesia through the lens of the fiqh principle of saddu al-dhariah, with the goal of mitigating corrupt practices in the procurement of products and services. The main data in this study revolves around Presidential Regulation No. 16 of 2018. Secondary data is derived from multiple sources including case studies on the procurement of goods and services, as well as publications and reports published by the Government Goods/Services Procurement Policy Institute (LKPP). The study findings suggest that e-procurement adheres to the principle of saddu al-dhariah by effectively mitigating state losses and enhancing government operational efficiency. The general public reaps advantages from this approach as it leads to a surge in the sales of domestic MSME products. Nevertheless, LKPP must persist in monitoring this mechanism to prevent any discussions conducted by parties with personal or collective interests.

Assessing public health implications of free trade agreements: The comprehensive and progressive Trans‐Pacific Partnership Agreement

AbstractIn 2016, the United Kingdom voted to exit the European Union, which was surrounded by political and social uncertainty. The United Kingdom now negotiates its own trade agreements, and in March 2023, it agreed to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans‐Pacific Partnership Agreement (CPTPP). A health impact assessment (HIA) was undertaken in 2022–23 to predict the potential impact of the CPTPP on the health and well‐being of the Welsh Population. This paper explores the HIA findings and highlights the value of the approach in engaging with stakeholders and informing policymakers. This HIA followed a standard five‐step approach which involved a literature review to identify potential health impacts, qualitative interviews with cross‐sectoral stakeholders and the development of a community health profile. The HIA identified potential impacts across the wider determinants of health and specific vulnerable population groups. Investor state dispute settlement mechanisms, economic uncertainty and loss of regulatory policy space were identified as key pathways for health impacts. The findings have been beneficial in informing decision‐makers to prepare for the CPTPP in Wales using an evidence‐informed approach. This work has demonstrated the value of a HIA approach that uses a transparent process to mobilise a wide range of evidence, resulting in transferrable learning.

Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology in Evaluating Voters' Intention Towards the Adoption of Electronic Forensic Election Audit System

Electronic voting systems have been introduced to improve the efficiency, accuracy, and transparency of the election process in many countries around the world, including Nigeria. However, concerns have been raised about the security and integrity of these systems. One way to address these concerns is through the implementation of electronic forensic election audit systems. This study aims to evaluate voters' intention to the adoption of electronic forensic election audit systems using the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) model which is a robust and reasonable theory for technology acceptance. In the study, the UTAUT model which is a widely used model in the field of information systems to explain the factors that influence individuals' intention to use a technology by integrating performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, facilitating conditions, cost factor and privacy factor to voters’ behavioural intention was proposed. A total of 294 sample data were collected from a selected population of electorates who had at one time or the other participated in at least an electioneering process in Nigeria. The data was then analyzed statistically using Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The results obtained show that all variables have significant effect on the electorates’ behavioral intention to adopt the development and implementation of electronic forensic election audit system in Nigeria.

HUMAN RIGHTS AND MODERN TECHNOLOGIES: ETHICAL ASPECTS

This article examines the key ethical aspects related to the development and application of modern technologies in the context of human rights. The author explores how digitalization, artificial intelligence, biotechnology and other innovations affect basic human rights and freedoms, such as the right to privacy, freedom of speech, access to information and equality. Particular attention is paid to the problems of data privacy, digital inequality and issues of responsibility for decision-making based on algorithms. The article analyzes the legislative and regulatory framework aimed at protecting human rights in conditions of rapid technological progress. The article also examines examples from various countries and industries, demonstrating both the positive and negative effects of the introduction of new technologies. The author concludes that in order to ensure respect for human rights, it is necessary to develop an integrated approach, including interdisciplinary cooperation, strengthening public control and transparency of technological processes. They emphasize the importance of ethical education for technology developers and users, as well as the need for international cooperation in the field of regulation and standardization. The article is intended for researchers, lawyers, politicians and anyone interested in the impact of modern technologies on human rights and ethical issues related to their application.

Principles ensuring the implementation of the idea of transparency of justice in civil cases

The current stage of development of civil procedural law does not allow us to unequivocally state the existence of the principle of transparency in the civil process, or at least it is premature to talk about its existence. It is quite possible that in the future it will be recognized as an international legal principle, formed largely due to the evolutionary interpretation of international norms carried out by international courts, including the European Court of Human Rights. The international legal framework for the requirement of transparency of justice is quite solid; in the decisions of the European Court, this requirement is given significant influence. Modern Russian legislation is also moving along the path of recognizing and consolidating the idea of transparency as a necessary requirement for the organization and implementation of modern justice. But, nevertheless, there are still no sufficient grounds for recognizing transparency as an independent principle. We believe that it is more appropriate to consider transparency through the manifestations of individual institutions and existing principles of civil procedural law.

Predicting child alimony under Islamic shariah law using hybrid fuzzy inference system

This paper proposes a novel approach to predicting child alimony under Islamic Shariah law using a hybrid fuzzy inference system, integrating Mamdani and Takagi-Sugeno-Kang (TSK) fuzzy systems. Machine learning algorithms have become valuable tools for legal decision-making, but judicial process delays can lead to adverse effects. Our model aims to expedite decision-making and minimize legal fees by accurately determining the proper amount of alimony for children after divorce. We collected data from 94 alimony cases and evaluated the model’s performance using accuracy, precision, recall, and F1 score metrics. The hybrid fuzzy system achieved promising results with 88% accuracy, 84% precision, 89% recall, and an 86% F1 score. Notably, the model reduced bias and standardization in decision-making, promoting fairness. However, the study suggests potential areas for improvement and emphasizes trans-parent judgment processes and coordination among judges in assessing alimony costs based on sufficiency and ma’ruf criteria. This research significantly contributes to machine learning applications in the judicial domain. It provides a valuable decision-making tool for judges and lawyers to enhance the judicial process’s efficiency and ensure children’s welfare in divorce cases under Islamic Shariah law. Further research can enhance the model’s effectiveness and reliability, opening avenues for continued exploration in this field.

Comparative technical analysis of legal and ethical frameworks in AI-enhanced procurement processes

This study presents a Comparative Technical Analysis of Legal and Ethical Frameworks in AI-Enhanced Procurement Processes. The research aims to evaluate the existing legal and ethical frameworks governing the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in procurement and to identify best practices for ensuring transparency, accountability, and ethical decision-making in AI-driven procurement processes. The study adopts a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews with procurement professionals and legal experts. The research design allows for a comprehensive analysis of the legal and ethical challenges associated with AI deployment in procurement and provides insights into practical strategies for addressing these challenges. Findings from the study indicate a growing recognition of the need for clear guidelines and regulations to govern the use of AI in procurement. While respondents acknowledge the potential benefits of AI, such as improved efficiency and cost savings, they also express concerns about algorithmic bias, data privacy, and the lack of transparency in AI-driven decision-making processes. Based on these findings, the study recommends several strategies for enhancing the legal and ethical frameworks in AI-enhanced procurement processes. These include developing clear guidelines for AI deployment, providing training and support for procurement professionals, and establishing mechanisms for monitoring and evaluating AI systems. Overall, the study highlights the importance of integrating legal and ethical considerations into AI deployment in procurement to ensure transparency, accountability, and ethical decision-making. The findings contribute to the growing body of literature on AI governance and provide practical insights for policymakers, procurement professionals, and other stakeholders involved in AI-driven procurement processes.

E-Voting System Using Blockchain and Face Recognition

Abstract: Voting systems have evolved over time, with paper voting becoming the most common worldwide. The introduction of electronic voting in the last decade has brought long-term solutions, but problems remain, especially in terms of security, trust, transparency and operation. Estonia has emerged as a leader in electronic voting despite limited blockchain integration. Blockchain technology offers a promising solution to these challenges through immutability and decentralization. However, current blockchain-based voting technology often lacks good solutions or lacks adequate measurement and evaluation. This article presents a new blockchain-based electronic voting platform designed to solve these problems in many elections. Our platform, which uses blockchain technology, prevents external intervention when starting the election by completing the administrative process in the central distribution system. Always be transparent while protecting voters' identities with homomorphic encryption. Our extensive testing and comparisons on our independent blockchain projects show that there is little difference between public and private blockchains. The main innovation of our solution is the provided management system using blockchain and homomorphic encryption, transparent process and stable security and self-assessment. This research contributes to the development of electronic elections to increase the security, transparency and efficiency of the democratic process.