Adam B. Masters

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About

Adam B. Masters is a leading scholar in public administration and the ethics of automated governance. His research critically examines the intersection of artificial intelligence, bureaucratic systems, and state power, with a particular focus on how automation can stigmatise and harm citizens. Masters’ most cited work, “Bureaucratic bastardry: robodebt/debt recovery, AI and the stigmatisation of citizens by machines and systems” (2022, 13 citations), offers a groundbreaking analysis of the Australian Robodebt scandal. In this paper, he draws on Isaac Asimov’s fictional laws of robotics to expose the real-world failures of automated debt recovery, arguing that systems designed for efficiency can become instruments of injustice when they lack ethical safeguards. This work has become a touchstone for scholars studying algorithmic accountability and the human costs of digital government. Masters’ broader contributions lie in his ability to bridge classic administrative theory with contemporary technological challenges, making him a vital voice in debates over AI ethics, public trust, and the future of democratic governance. His research continues to shape policy discussions on responsible automation in the public sector.