Editorial

What should Britain do about Artificial Intelligence?

UK public sector leaders could find some of the answers at next week’s Think AI for Public Sector 2017 event, say organisers

Posted 14 September 2017 by Gary Flood


What part – if any – should Artificial Intelligence (AI) play in the future plans of UK public sector decision makers?

If you think this is a crucial issue for you, your team and your service users, then mark Wednesday September 20 in your diary, as you can come and find out more at a special London event.

The idea: provide at least some of the answers to that question – and if not, at least provide useful food for thought, delivered by experts and stakeholders in the frontline of the field.

The day, Think AI for Public Sector 2017, has been set up to reflect the reality that AI is now a core agenda item on the government’s Industrial Strategy.

A detailed, relevant agenda and cast of speakers

The agenda has been created to directly align with the practical implications of that for public sector IT and policy decision makers who need to understand more about the challenges and opportunities AI will bring – both in terms of technical deployment and political/societal governance issues.

The day starts at 9.30am (registration and networking) and concludes at 14.45pm, and is conveniently located at the central London location of One Great George St, Westminster (Westminster (Exit 6) on the District, Circle and Jubilee lines, and St James’s Park on the District and Circle lines, are just 5 minutes walk away).

Confirmed speakers include the Chief Executives of Nesta and senior representatives from leading research teams into the issues such as Reform.

But just as usefully, the conference features real-world practitioners – who’ve done real things with AI and public services already.

These include Aylesbury Vale District Council, which is looking at how it can make use of the Amazon Echo AI interface to deliver citizen services to both provide a better customer experience and curb costs.

There’s also significant participation at government level, with sessions led by Professor Birgitte Andersen of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on AI and CEO of the Big Innovation Centre, the Chair, All-Party Parliamentary Group on the Fourth Industrial Revolution, Alan Mak MP.

And last but not least, a major supplier presence is guaranteed in the shape of conference sponsors such as Salesforce, whose Head of UK Public Sector, James Lee-Smith, is set to speak on stage on the topic of the how public sector agencies can start ti meet and anticipate citizen needs using AI.

Other suppliers presenting include the European Head of Sales & Strategic Partnerships EMEA at DigitalGenius Chris Kellner, while analysts GlobalData are also going to share their insights.

The day will be MC-ed by well-known independent IT journalist Stuart Lauchlan, Editor & co-founder of global news and analysis site diginomica.

“We have created this conference not only to answer some of the questions already forming on current opportunities and impacts around AI, but also highlight some of the great work that is already being done across the public sector,” commented Matt Stanley, Director of the group behind the event, Think Digital Partners.

“We’ve got some fantastic and knowledgeable speakers from various government departments, industry experts, analysts and some of the suppliers already working with the public sector in this space.  It is going to prove to be a great day and the start of a conversation that is going to go on and on,” he added.

Make sure your voice can be heard

With such a compelling agenda, convenient location and timings and top-notch set of participants, demand has been high for places for next week.

The good news is that some spaces are still available – and even better, they will be FREE if you are a qualified public sector professional.

But there really are only a few, so act quickly, please!

Go here to review the agenda if you are interested in finding out more and here to then confirm your place.

We hope to see you there to take part in what’s emerging as one of the most critical conversations going on right now in society – the impact AI and other advances technology will have on us all.