How governments are using AI to become more efficient


Artificial intelligence has transformational potential in government, and departments and agencies around the world are developing plans to make the most of this technology.
Making the most of AI will help government organisations cope with growing workloads in areas such as finance, procurement, and people management, but achieving this requires thinking clearly about where the technology can be deployed to improve existing business and accounting processes. However there is also a challenge – which AI technologies are safe and easy to roll out and which need more care?
This session, held in partnership with knowledge partner SAP, shared insight on how governments can use AI technology to become more efficient. It provided practical insights on how AI technologies including automation and machine learning can be used to drive more effective, efficient and user-focused services.
Join this webinar to hear civil servants from across government discuss how they are using AI to become more efficient in key areas such as finance, procurement, and people management.
This session covered:
- The public service use case for artificial intelligence and machine learning – from cash matching to tackling bias in recruitment.
- How government department and agencies can improve data access to make the most of AI and make teams more efficient.
- The potential for AI to be deployed across shared services in government to unlock efficiencies at scale.
- What are the considerations that organisations need to address for different types of Artificial Intelligence?
Panel
Theo Blackwell MBE, Chief Digital Officer, Greater London Authority, Mayor of London

Appointed in 2017 as London’s first Chief Digital Officer, Theo leads on London-wide digital transformation, data and smart city initiatives at City Hall. His role involves strategic leadership on the digital transformation agenda for London’s public services, across the GLA group and the wider public sector, convening on behalf of the Mayor, across London local government to support the take-up of innovative, technology, and data-led approaches to service delivery and public engagement, developing and promoting partnership between the public, private and community sectors to enable and support the development of new public service-oriented technology and innovation.
Victoria Bew, Head of Strategy, i.AI (Incubator for Artificial Intelligence), Cabinet Office

Victoria is Head of Strategy for i.AI, the Government’s new incubator for Artificial Intelligence. This is a technical team sitting at the heart of UK Government in Number 10 and the Cabinet Office. Prior to joining i.AI, Victoria worked at HM Treasury, Nesta and in management consultancy.
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Steven Hodson, Head of Automation, DES Digital, Ministry of Defence

Steven Hodson is the Automation & Artificial Intelligence (AI) Team Lead for Defence Equipment and Support, leading a team delivering ground-breaking solutions to support equipment availability and increased organisational productivity. Steven has huge experience in all things digital, delivering solutions across land, sea and air domains with a particular skill in delivering first-of-type solutions.
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David Dinsdale, Industry Value Advisor, SAP

David brings a broad perspective of what works well and what doesn’t work regarding Digital Transformation in Public Services. He has been responsible for digital services with millions of users as well as advising government organisations on how to get the most benefit from technology change. He has worked in central government, local government, health and defence. As a former trustee of the Whitehall and Industry Group, David champions the belief that sharing knowledge across sectors can help build a better society for all.
Webinar chair: Siobhan Benita, Facilitator, Global Government Forum

Siobhan Benita was a senior civil servant with over 15 years’ Whitehall experience. She worked in many of the 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 the Civil Service 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.