How Governments Protect Citizens’ Privacy in the Use of Artificial Intelligence: A Qualitative Study

<p dir="ltr">This study examines how governments can protect citizens’ privacy in the application of artificial intelligence (AI), focusing on China’s emerging digital governance practices. Using a qualitative research design, twenty semi-structured interviews were conducted with government officials, technology experts, and citizens to explore perceptions of privacy, data use, and institutional safeguards. Thematic analysis revealed four key issues: ambiguous data boundaries, limited privacy awareness, weak public trust, and insufficient accountability mechanisms. Findings show that while AI enhances administrative efficiency, it also exposes systemic gaps between technological innovation and legal protection. The study argues that achieving sustainable AI governance requires balancing efficiency with transparency and citizens’ rights. Policy recommendations include enforcing data minimization, improving algorithmic transparency, establishing public redress mechanisms, and strengthening independent oversight institutions. The research contributes to the understanding of ethical governance in the digital age and offers practical insights for building trustworthy, rights-based AI systems in public administration.</p>