I had the privilege of attending and co-hosting four roundtables at the Government Transformation Week Data and AI Summit, a fascinating event that draws a big crowd from across local and central government. It was a crisp November morning, and as I set off early, I felt a spark of excitement to learn how various government departments are beginning to harness the potential of AI. This event wasn't just about discussing #technology either, it was a glimpse into the future of public service, where AI could redefine how we solve problems, streamline processes, and serve the public better.
One thing was clear from the start, while some departments are still in the early stages of experimentation with AI, there’s a growing understanding and enthusiasm of its transformative power. Many leaders shared that they had started to get access to groundbreaking tools like Microsoft Co-Pilot and Gemini to name a few, yet some admitted to feeling a bit lost on how to best leverage them without properly defined use cases. As one attendee described it, “It’s like being given a magic wand but not knowing any spells.” This perfectly captured the mix of excitement and uncertainty that many in government are feeling around pushing forward with AI.
Throughout the day’s presentations, a common theme emerged—data and AI are no longer just technical jargon; they are front and centre on the boardroom agendas of government departments. Decision-makers are clear that AI is no longer a futuristic concept and it needs to form a critical component of their strategies for a more efficient and responsive public sector services.
In the roundtables I co-hosted with my colleague Will Lowe, I noticed an interesting trend that while departments are deeply interested in AI, practical examples of successful AI applications into production are still rare and projects often don’t tend to move past POC stage largely due to cost and often security / privacy concerns. Use cases involving machine learning rather than Generative AI had more successful applications and we heard of many success stories of this type of AI already being used.
A recurring theme in our discussions was the excitement for AI being tempered by one major hurdle…data. Many government departments are still working with legacy systems, fragmented data, and rigid data-sharing policies and procedures. These obstacles are preventing departments from fully capitalising on AI's potential. Participants voiced concerns over privacy restrictions and a lack of interoperability between systems, barriers that will need to be addressed if AI is to truly thrive in the public sector.
It was also clear that this shift toward a data-driven approach in government isn’t just technical, it requires a cultural transformation. To bring about the benefits of AI, a mindset shift from the top down is essential. Senior leaders will need to champion this agenda, ensuring that AI doesn’t just become an isolated workstream but an integral part of how government operates moving forwards. By fostering an environment that embraces AI, leaders can help create a public sector that is not only efficient but also innovative, forward-thinking, and ready to meet the challenges of tomorrow.
In summary, the event left me feeling inspired and optimistic. Digital transformation in government is already well underway, but the path to truly unlocking AI’s potential will take time, collaboration, and a bold vision from senior leaders. Seeing the enthusiasm among participants was incredibly energising and it’s clear that the appetite for AI is only growing. While the journey to an AI-empowered government may be long and contain many hurdles, with the right strategy, senior support, and cultural shift, this future is closer than we think.
If our discussion sparked new ideas or if you're curious about exploring AI’s potential in your own department, let’s talk! From complimentary AI Labs to data and digital transformation services, we’re here to support your journey. Get in touch with our experts at transformation@transformuk.com to explore how we can help you move from strategy to impactful solutions.