Digitalization of Public Services: Trends and Prospects

Abstract

Introduction. The article deals with the current trends in the development of public services which suppose minimizing personal contacts and translating them into digital space. Despite significant economic, time and social benefits in general, this phenomenon requires the development of clear legal, technical and organizational mechanisms, as well as a transparent and clear control system. Another difficulty is the need to eliminate a number of risks associated with a fairly rapid pace of digitalization and incomplete readiness and understanding of society's features. Methods. The research is conducted on the basis of scientific literature, accessible data of the Ministry and the Committee for Digital Transformation of Ukraine. The methods of analysis, generalization and deduction are also used in the work. Results. The research examines Ukraine's place in the European digital space (e-government development index, network readiness index, digital competitiveness index) and in the field of open data. The peculiarities of the work and achievements of the Ministry of Digital Transformation and its strategic goals have been demonstrated. A number of direct and associated risks of rapid rates of digitalization of public services have been identified. Possibilities, advantages and conditions of e-voting project implementation in Ukraine are outlined. Discussion. Successful implementation of projects of the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine and full integration of Ukraine into the European and global digital space will be a prerequisite and a kind of indicator for further large-scale decisions in the field of digitalization of state functions (creation of e-state), in particular, the introduction of a government-declared e-voting system, which will reduce risks during voting and counting results, and increase youth turnout, which has been a problem in recent polls at various levels. Legal and technical possibilities of realization of such digital service element in the state can be a direction of the further scientific researches in this sphere. Keywords: digitalization of public services, open data, e-government development index, networked readiness index, digital competitiveness index, digitalization risks, e-voting.