Artificial intelligence (AI) is the topic on everyone’s lips in digital government. This was reflected in a packed attendance for Think Digital Partners’ first AI in Government event. Panels of AI experts and guests from the private and public sector gathered to share thoughts and ideas and highlight the potential applications for the technology across government.
“The first Think AI for Government event was an overwhelming success; that’s not just my words, we are hearing this from speakers, sponsors and delegates,” said Think Digital Partners’ founder, Matt Stanley. “The room was packed, the conversations were, insightful, honest and optimistic.
“We listened to examples of ongoing projects across both central and local government departments, about future plans from the AI Incubator team based in DSIT through to skills, transparency and responsible use of AI in the public sector. I think we covered a lot of ground in the first chapter of this conference programme,” he added.
“Our next AI for Government conference is on October 22 and we are already recruiting speakers, sponsors and delegates, so if you missed out this time, register your place now.”
Here’s a taster of what was discussed:
- In the first keynote of the day, chief data officer of the Director Deputy Prime Minister’s Data Unit, Tom Smith (pictured), highlighted the integration of AI and digital tools in government, emphasising the importance of data sharing and digital marketing. He highlighted the government’s ambitious target of building 1.5 million homes, noting the inefficiencies in the planning system, such as a 50 percent error rate in planning applications and a 56 percent decline in planning approvals from 2008 to 2018. The digital planning program aims to improve planning efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance community trust.
- Next up, Department for Business and Trade chief data officer, Sian Thomas MBE joined Sarah Handyside, algorithmic transparency lead at the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and Deepak Shukla, data and AI strategy lead for UK public sector at AWS to discuss the UK’s Algorithmic Transparency Reporting Standard (ATRS), and the importance of public sector transparency in AI tool usage.
- Dr Iain Brown, head of data science, Northern Europe at SAS and Dimitris Perdikou, government chief engineer at the Government Digital Service focused on the importance of data readiness for responsible AI in government. Only 32 percent of departments report high readiness, with data quality and access being major challenges. Their conversation called for collaboration between data science, policy, and engineering, and the necessity of starting small with data projects.
- The day’s second keynote was delivered by Mallory Durran, interim director, Incubator for Artificial Intelligence at the Department for Science Innovation and Technology. Durran discussed the incubator’s focus on practical AI applications. Notable projects include Red Box, a secure AI chat system for civil servants, Caddy, an AI-enhanced support system for Citizens Advice, and Lex, an AI tool for parliamentary research.
- Tommaso Spinelli, senior AI change manager at the Cabinet Office, Sally Meecham, chief technology officer and responsible AI senior officer at the UK Hydrographic Office and Steve Allison, global engagement manager at Adobe addressed the responsible use of AI in public services, emphasising the need for ethical guidelines and transparency. The panel agreed on the need for a collaborative approach, involving diverse stakeholders, and for change management to ensure AI tools are used effectively and ethically.
- James Blackshaw, digital sustainability product manager at Defra, addressed digital sustainability in government, in relation to AI. Key points included the significant water and energy consumption of AI. The conversation also covered the need for standards and measurements in AI sustainability, the importance of collaboration, and the potential for AI to optimise systems like grids and datacentres. The challenges of assessing the environmental impact of AI versus human labour were also raised, with potential energy savings through architectural changes in AI systems.
- How can you use AI responsibly to improve the quality of government services and save time for frontline workers? That was the topic under consideration in the next panel, featuring Sarah Pena, digital innovation service manager at Wokingham Borough Council, Madeline Hoskin, assistant director for technology at North Yorkshire Council and Emma Ockleford, co-founder of LGai.uk. Points raised included the need for shared standards, robust evaluation, and strategic enterprise architecture. The panel discussed non-technical barriers like finance and governance, and the importance of proactive role evolution to mitigate job displacement, particularly for women.
- A discussion on AI in government services highlighted the rapid adoption of AI in social care. A panel comprising Rachel Astall, chief customer officer at Beam, Shelley Bowyer, AI lead for education and social care at Buckinghamshire Council, Sandeep Sahota, head of business management, Children Services at Ealing Council and Josh Wilson, strategic IT business partner at Oxfordshire County Council, looked at challenges include digital literacy among frontline staff, tool accuracy, and ease of use. They advocated for a user-centered approach to AI, continuous training, and cultural shifts. They stressed the need for tailored AI tools that enhance, rather than replace, human interaction.
- Ashleigh Alexander, government digital & data resourcing specialist, Digital Workforce & Capability at the Government Digital Service and Sherlock di Schiavi, head of security architecture at the Office for Nuclear Regulation focused on the skills required for AI literacy and capability in government, with the need for both technical expertise and social impact understanding. The top 10 hard-to-fill roles in government, including front-end developers and network architects, were also identified.
- As always, the day ends with a ‘future of’ panel, which this time the transformative impact of AI on economic activity, emphasising its role in public services and the need for trust and transparency. Key points included the importance of skills and sustainability, particularly in data science and ethics, and the need for integrated AI solutions. The panel – comprising Professor Kirstine Dale, chief AI officer at the Met Office, Jonathan Sykes, global head of AI products at Caution Your Blast, Ade Bamigboye, chief technology officer at the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, Kanika Joshi, founder of Impact Circle, and Fawad Qureshi, global field CTO at Snowflake – stressed the necessity of balancing governance with innovation, ensuring diverse data infrastructure, and fostering AI literacy across all demographics. They also discussed the potential for AI to create new jobs and the importance of collaboration between public, private, and academic sectors to build trust and ethical AI practices.
