There is huge excitement about the possibilities for data in government. So it was no surprise that today’s Think Data for Government event was packed out with representatives from across all parts of the public sector – all keen to hear from a range of digital leaders about current thinking and best practices.
“Today’s conference played out to a packed audience of government data professionals,” said Think Digital Partners founder, Matt Stanley. “With 32 brilliant speakers across nine insightful sessions the discussions were engaging, insightful and extended from the on stage discussions to conversations during the networking breaks.
“One of the great things about this conference series is that the topic is moving so quickly that when we run the next data for government conference, later this year on December 3, we will have the opportunity to run a host of new sessions and updates on government data projects.”
- The day kicked off with a fireside chat that saw host Gavin Freeguard in conversation with the new chief data officer (interim) at the Government Digital Service, DSIT, Lindsay Mason, who shared her plans for the role, and her objectives over the coming months.
- The first panel of the day focused on the importance of a collaborative mindset among policy makers and the private sector to drive data sharing and legislation. Experts from both the private and public sector agreed on the importance of joined-up services, removing overlaps, and fostering a culture of data sharing to achieve better public service delivery.
- The importance of legacy modernisation and AI adoption in government was in the spotlight next. Topics debated include the need for data maturity and literacy, and the importance of foundational data and culture. The discussion also covered the challenges of managing senior stakeholder expectations, the necessity of clear capability assessments, and the role of ethics in AI implementation.
- How do you maintain public trust in data usage within government? That was the question addressed in the next session, which highlighted the importance of transparency, user engagement, and ethical frameworks. The discussion also touched on Defra’s efforts in data sharing, transparency, and sustainability, noting the challenges of legal and technological barriers.
- The next question up for debate was this: are we ready to call time on data fragmentation in the public sector? Key points included the need for cross-government collaboration, user-centric design, and the importance of APIs in integrating data. As part of that, head of data engagement, Simon McLellan, highlighted the Met Office’s efforts in data sharing and the role of generative AI (gen AI) in improving data quality. The panel agreed on the importance of leadership, user research, and experimentation to drive data integration. They also discussed the potential of bringing AI computations closer to data to address volume and sensitivity issues.
- The need to use AI responsibly in government is, of course, a hot topic. The next discussion included a call for dynamic ethical models, and the need for inclusivity, with AI data often coming from privileged populations. Founder of Impact Circle Kanika Joshi advocated for government roles in AI education and regulation. The panel also discussed the challenges of holding large corporations accountable and the importance of user feedback and awareness.
- Local authorities have the potential to unlock huge public benefit with da. But fragmentation and lack of capability continues to be a barrier to progress. The next set of panellists represented councils at different stages of data maturity, who emphasised the importance of foundational data infrastructure, governance, and the right culture. The conversation also touched on the need for data to be humanised and valued, with examples of data-driven care and service improvements.
- As the UK’s public data infrastructure continues to grow in scale and scope, the importance of data governance does too. The need to create solid data foundations is clear, with the next gathering of data leaders highlighting the need for trust, continuity, and accessibility. The discussion highlighted the challenges of balancing legacy systems with new data needs, the role of data governance in fostering a data-responsible culture, and the importance of interoperability and scalability.
- The traditional final session to end the day was a discussion on the future of data. Data leaders from across the public sector discussed the need for a more collaborative and embedded data culture, emphasising the shift towards distributing data skills across business functions and leveraging AI to handle basic tasks. They identified key challenges such as addressing data bias, improving data literacy, and developing responsible frameworks for emerging technologies. Overall, they recognised the UK’s strong policy framework and the transformative potential of data-driven decision-making in government.
