Building skills to unleash generative AI in the public sector
Governments in Europe and beyond are looking to use artificial intelligence to improve how government works and deliver more effective public services.
In the UK, the government has focused on providing civil servants with the essential understanding of the principles of artificial intelligence, while being able to use AI in their work as part of the civil service’s One Big Thing initiative. Elsewhere, governments have developed plans to develop homegrown AI systems that can be used with confidence, while also meeting fast-developing UK and EU regulations.
Making the most of AI will therefore require governments to have access to the right digital skills – and for public servants to understand the potential of AI.
This Global Government Forum webinar brought together public service leaders to discuss how governments can build the skills that they need for AI, and unlock its use at scale.
In this webinar, held in partnership with knowledge partner Coursera, we discussed:
- How governments can understand the skills, knowledge, and tools they need now to make the most of AI development and deployment – and future-proof their workforce.
- How governments can ensure AI use in the public sector meets with emerging international and national regulations.
- How civil servants can be provided with tailored learning journeys to work out how to use AI in their work.
Panel
Sarah Keast, Head of Design, Digital Academy, HM Revenue and Customs, United Kingdom
Dr Sarah Keast is a senior learning specialist and Head of Design for the HMRC Digital Academy, leading the design and delivery of digital, data and technology learning for HMRC. Sarah began her career in higher education, spending almost 20 years as a lecturer in Economics, with her academic background laying the foundations for her strong analytical approach and evidence‑based mindset, as well as a deep commitment to education and professional development. Joining HMRC in 2017 as a Data Skills & Capability Lead in HMRC’s Chief Digital and Information Office, Sarah has played a central role in shaping the organisation’s digital and data capability and learning strategy. She is a CIPD Chartered Fellow and a Fellow of the Learning and Performance Institute (LPI), reflecting her commitment to excellence, innovation and professional standards in learning and development.
Kelvyn Hicks, Government & Education Lead, EMEA, Coursera
Kelvyn Hicks is the Government & Education Lead EMEA at Coursera, bringing over two decades of experience in the EdTech industry.
Kelvyn began his career in the Royal Air Force. He is a qualified aerospace engineer and pilot. His interest in virtual learning emerged when he designed and built a Learning Management System through his own company. He was also an inaugural board member of the SCORM e-learning standards committee and remains deeply passionate about making education accessible to all, regardless of status or location.
After selling his company, Kelvyn joined Microsoft, where he enjoyed a decade-long career that culminated in managing education software solutions across the Middle East and Africa, covering 79 countries while based in Istanbul.
Since then, he has played a pivotal role in building several EdTech companies, including a joint venture start-up between Capita PLC and the UK Government, delivering global best-practice certifications in collaboration with over 700 global partners.
Throughout his career, Kelvyn has lived and worked around the world for both large and small learning and development organisations, amassing a wealth of industry knowledge and experience.
Webinar chair: Siobhan Benita, Moderator, Global Government Forum
Siobhan was a senior civil servant in the UK with more than 15 years’ Whitehall experience. She worked in many of major delivery departments, including Transport, Environment, Health and Local Government. She also had senior roles at the heart of government in the Cabinet Office and HM Treasury, including supporting the then Cabinet Secretary, Lord O’Donnell, to lead work on civil service reform and strategy. Siobhan left to run as an independent candidate in the Mayor of London election. She subsequently joined her alma mater, Warwick University, as Chief Strategy Officer of Warwick in London and Co-Director of the Warwick Policy Lab
