Digital innovation in the public sector

The Government is continuing to make use of digital innovation to progress a sector that is often criticised as lagging behind the private sector. A panel session on digital innovation in Government at the Public Sector Solutions Expo gave insight into how the Government is making best use of new technology while supporting SMEs across the UK.

Chaired by Sue Bateman, deputy director – innovation GDS at the Cabinet Office, the panel discussed how the Government keeps on top of developing technology and the importance of innovation to help consumers and users.

Joining Bateman on the panel were Sebastien Krier, policy advisor at the Office for Artificial Intelligence, and Ian Tester, head of product – GovTech Catalyst at Government Digital Service (GDS).

With artificial intelligence the current industry buzzword, Krier talked about how the Office for AI is creating a guide for how to use AI in the public sector. Covering best use, how to use it ethically, fairly and safely, and making sure it meets the users’ needs, the guide is a living product and Krier welcomes feedback from across the public sector.

Encouraging innovation and helping to build more efficient public services, Tester explained how GovTech Catalyst work to solve the challenges felt across local and central government and the wider public sector. By focusing on the problem first, rather than the solution, the aim is to work with companies to create effective and innovative products, so the end result is a product that works for everyone.

Since the launch of GovTech Catalyst, Tester said they’ve received 93 challenges from the public sector and, out of 416 supplier bids, they’ve started working with 35 different companies. By opening out the tender process to SMEs, the team has seen diversity in both technology and the people they are helping.

Vuelio, as the leading provider of combined media and political communications software, was exhibiting at the Public Sector Solutions Expo 2019.