Government forms reflect more than just data - they reveal culture, trust, and readiness for AI-driven government, showcasing how government interacts with people and who holds power.
When filling out a form, citizens enter a contract of trust, revealing how much the system values their time, data, and dignity. Forms are the DNA of government, controlling data and determining friction in accessing basic services.
Before 1990, all these processes were paper-based, with handwritten, stamped, and filed documents. As a lawyer, I recall attending property settlements with clients holding paper certificates of title and mortgage documents.
They show who controls the data. They show how much friction citizens face in accessing basic services.
Author's summary: Forms reflect government culture and trust.