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Digital and data takeaways from Innovation 2025 

By on 22/04/2025 | Updated on 22/04/2025
Image by Gerd Altmann via Pixabay

Global Government Forum has used an artificial intelligence tool to analyse all the sessions at the Innovation 2025 conference for takeaways on how governments are using digital and data tools to deliver better public policies.

This summary was generated using the Notebook LLM tool, which analysed recordings based on a prompt from GGF.

Key issues discussed across Innovation include the opportunity to use digital and data to improve citizens’ experiences, and using government missions to drive a more productive and agile state. Data standards and sharing were also discussed, as well as how civil service collaboration and skills can help.

Key issues relating to the use of digital and data in government

  • A central theme was the critical importance of digital and data for achieving government missions and driving transformation. Speakers emphasised that harnessing technology and data is essential for delivering better public services, achieving policy goals, and creating a more productive and agile state.
  • However, a concerning finding was that public satisfaction with digital services has been falling in the UK.
  • The conference also addressed the difficulty in measuring the benefits of foundational digital and data elements, such as data standards and data sharing, even though they are important. It was suggested that governments need to find ways to measure the benefit of standards and the sharing of particular datasets, even if the outcome is further down the line, potentially by giving credit to organisations that make data accessible and promote its use.
  • There is a need to move away from ‘making the measurable important’ and instead focus on ‘making the important measurable’.

Read more: ‘Incredibly bold’ UK missions driving a more agile civil service, say speakers at Innovation 2025

Opportunities for better use of digital and data in government

  • There is a significant opportunity in joining up citizen journeys and experiences around life events to think about services differently. This includes supporting the best channel for citizens, whether digital or not, and creating multi-channel experiences.
  • The establishment of a digital centre of government is seen as an opportunity to enable change and set the strategic direction for technology, data, and innovation.
  • Adopting a ‘test and learn’ culture akin to agile methodology offers an opportunity for faster and more effective outcomes through experimentation and adaptation.
  • There is an opportunity to learn from international best practices in digital government and data management, with examples from Estonia and Ireland being highlighted.
  • Collaboration across government departments and with external partners (third sector, local government, private sector) presents a significant opportunity to accelerate the delivery of improved services.
  • The increasing focus on mission-based government provides an opportunity to work as one to solve problems for citizens, breaking down departmental silos.
  • AI presents significant opportunities to make public services more effective and efficient.

Read more: New UK digital services plan aims to ‘transform the relationship between citizen and state’

Challenges to better use of digital and data in government

  • A major challenge is the lack of confidence and skills in digital and data across the civil service. There are too few digital and data professionals, and a need to upskill existing staff and attract more talent.
  • Fragmented systems and underused data are significant obstacles. This includes under-digitised processes, a lack of interoperability, and numerous ways of proving identity for government services. Improving data sharing and establishing common data standards are crucial but challenging.
  • Cultural and process barriers hinder innovation and the effective use of digital and data. These include risk-averse attitudes, lack of empowerment, bureaucratic processes, and a tendency towards novelty over long-term sustainability. There can also be resistance to data sharing due to perceived data protection issues and a lack of trust between departments.
  • Making the right investments in digital and data and demonstrating their value can be challenging, particularly for foundational elements like data standards. Traditional funding models may not align with the iterative nature of digital development.
  • There is a leadership challenge, with not enough leaders having experience in transformative and technology-driven change.
  • Procurement processes can be fragmented and may not always facilitate access for smaller, innovative businesses, although AI could potentially help in this area. Data issues within procurement, such as data being spread across multiple systems, also need to be overcome.
  • Building and maintaining public trust in the government’s use of data is crucial, especially concerning data privacy and potential misuse. Citizens may trust private companies with their data more if they perceive an emotional value in return.
  • The pace of technological change can outstrip government processes, making it challenging to ensure that implemented solutions remain relevant.
  • Legacy IT systems pose a significant challenge to digital transformation.

Read more: ‘A job centre in people’s pockets’: how the UK government’s app will work – and the ambitions for the future

Key achievements in public service transformation highlighted

  • The development and implementation of a data sharing and governance act in Ireland has enabled easier and instructed data sharing across government, forming the basis of the country’s digital wallet and improving citizen engagement. Ireland is also reported to be the most trusted country in the OECD regarding the use of public data.
  • Estonia’s long-standing experience with digital government and data sharing serves as a leading example, demonstrating the benefits of joining up datasets to improve services. Its success relies on government collaboration and a focus on societal benefits. Estonia’s Data Embassy programme was mentioned as an innovative approach to data sovereignty.
  • Singapore’s advancements in digital identity and the development of digital credentials have streamlined interactions with government and enabled efficient service delivery, including targeted financial assistance.
  • The One Big Thing initiative in the UK government engaged a large number of civil servants and generated thousands of ideas for innovation across the civil service, demonstrating a desire for innovation within the workforce. Examples include the Met Office’s creative headspace sessions and AI-driven automation of rotas.
  • The upcoming rollout of the gov.uk app and wallet is anticipated to improve joined-up public services.
  • The creation of the London Office of Technology and Innovation (LOTI) has facilitated collaboration among London boroughs, leading to better data sharing and a unified view of homelessness in the city, enabling more informed decisions and actions.
  • The development of GCS Assist, the UK government communication service’s AI tool, is highlighted as the first approved AI tool for rollout across UK government communications, aiming to improve efficiency and effectiveness.
  • The Digital and Data Capability Framework in the UK government provides a common definition of roles and skills, aiming to address the messiness of skills data and guide investment in expert digital skills. The prime minister’s announcement that 1 in 10 civil servants will be expert digital specialists by 2030 signals a significant commitment to boosting these skills.

Read more: A lesson in transformation: how a UK digital driving licence went from ‘not possible’ to coming this year

These points collectively illustrate the dynamic landscape of digital and data use in government, highlighting both the progress made and the significant work that remains to fully leverage their transformative potential.

This summary was created using Notebook LLM based on the following prompt: Provide a summary of the key issues relating to the use of digital and data in government from Global Government Forum’s Innovation conference. Provide a summary of the opportunities and challenges to better use of digital and data in government, as well as a summary of the key achievements in public service transformation that were highlighted across the sessions.

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