Interviews Articles
NEED MINI SPONSOR LOGO
‘I see AI much more as a service and leadership challenge than a technology one’: interview with Phil Swan, director for government digital enablement, UK Government Digital Service
Phil Swan recently joined the Government Digital Service (GDS) as director responsible for GDS Local, service standards, inclusive digital design, and digital workforce and capability. He moved to the role after eight years as director of digital at the Greater Manchester Combined Authority. In this interview, following GGF’s Global AI Cities summit and conference, Swan…
‘Producing great results despite constraints’: Five minutes with Martin Waudby, Chief Data Officer, London Borough of Camden
In this series of ‘Five minutes with’ interviews, we share insights from city leaders who will speak at Global AI Cities 2026, taking place in Greater Manchester, UK, on 16 and 17 June. At the event, leaders from around the world will share insights on how to unlock people-first AI transformation. Martin Waudby, Chief Data…
Prioritising people and movement: Five minutes with Peter Boulton, network director highways at Transport for Greater Manchester
In this series of ‘Five minutes with’ interviews, we share insights from the city and local government leaders who will speak at our Global AI Cities conference, taking place in Greater Manchester, UK, on 16 and 17 June At the event, leaders from around the world will share insights on how to unlock people-first AI…
‘I worry about our ability to go fast enough’: interview with Mivy James, chief technology officer for UK Defence
A technologist at heart, Mivy James is working in the Ministry of Defence and at a time when UK defence is undergoing a major overhaul. She tells Jack Aldane about the lure of working to tackle big challenges, why AI is not ‘pixie dust’, and her fears about the pace of change “I feel like…
‘Don’t let fear prevent you from working on the problems that matter most’: Five minutes with Rafael Carvalho de Fassio, São Paulo state attorney for science, technology and innovation
In this series of ‘Five minutes with’ interviews, we share insights from the city and local government leaders who will speak at our Global AI Cities conference, taking place in Manchester, UK, on 16 and 17 June. At the event, leaders from around the world will share insights on how to unlock people-first AI transformation.…
Trading outlook: an interview with Export Development Canada treasurer Chad Buffel
Export Development Canada recently broke new ground by issuing the country’s first tokenised bond. The government agency’s newly promoted treasurer, Chad Buffel, gives Ian Hall the inside track – and details other innovation priorities When Export Development Canada (EDC) issued the country’s first tokenised bond using distributed-ledger technology (DLT) a couple of months ago, it…
The harms of not using data in health: Five minutes with Rory Collins, chief executive, UK Biobank
In this series of ‘Five minutes with’ interviews, we share insights from the civil service and public sector leaders who will speak at our Innovation 2026 conference. Taking place in London on 24 and 25 March, attendees will hear leaders from around the world speak on a range of topics related to driving the transformation of…
Helping to solve your most complex problems: Five minutes with Annette Southgate, deputy director of the UK Home Office’s Accelerated Capability Environment
In this series of ‘Five minutes with’ interviews, we share insights from the civil service and public sector leaders who will speak at our Innovation 2026 conference. Taking place in London on 24 and 25 March, attendees will hear leaders from around the world speak on a range of topics related to driving the transformation of…
Interviews Events, Conferences & Summits - In-Person
Interviews Webinars
Interviews Research
Discover independent research reports, surveys and in-depth studies from Global Government Forum and knowledge partners, exploring the most important issues facing governments and the public sector. Our research provides practical insights and evidence-based recommendations for senior civil servants, policymakers and public sector leaders. Our reports combine exclusive survey data, expert analysis and interviews with government leaders from around the world to help public sector organisations improve performance, inform policy and deliver better outcomes for citizens.
Empowering Public Servants to Make Confident, Informed Decisions with Data and AI
Governments around the world are working hard to extract – and act upon – the insights held in their vast data stores, and to embrace AI and the promise it holds for innovation and transformation. At the same time, economic pressures and constrained budgets are compelling public servants to do more with fewer resources, while governments are called to respond quickly and effectively to complex challenges.
Against this backdrop, data and AI can help those working in government both to streamline their workflows and make fast, informed decisions. This in turn drives efficiency and can unlock productivity gains – and ultimately lead to improved performance and better services for citizens.
Global Government Forum surveyed over 600 civil servants worldwide to understand how data and AI are being used in government decision-making and where there are further challenges and opportunities.
Read this report for insight into how governments are using data and AI in decision-making today and the potential for the future; the major challenges to using data and AI in decision-making and how to overcome them; and how AI agents can be used in decision-making.
The report includes examples of data and AI in decision-making from countries including the UK, Ireland, Australia, Canada, Singapore, the US, and more.
(Published September 2025)
Making Government Work: Five Pillars of a Modern, Effective Civil Service
Around the world, governments are dealing with substantial challenges – from economic stagnation to the transition to net zero, military conflicts and cyber threats. Governments are also grappling with shifting geopolitics and the rise of populism – and all of these factors are set against the emergence of new technologies, including generative AI, which have the potential to fundamentally transform every aspect of society, but which also pose huge ethical, security and regulatory questions for the public sector.
The Making Government Work: Five pillars of a modern, effective civil service report was undertaken to help identify the key characteristics needed in a modern public service, with priorities ranging across leadership, digital service delivery, workforce development, cross-departmental integration, and citizen trust.
This report has been covered by publications around the world including the Financial Times, BBC Radio 4’s PM programme, Ottawa Citizen, Fed Manager, the Mandarin and the i newspaper.
(Published August 2024)
The Future of the Finance Ministry
From setting tax rates and financial regulations that create the ground rules for national economies, to allocating – and tracking – spending for public services, finance ministries occupy an essential role at the centre of government. Geopolitical crises have reinforced the importance of finance ministries, as they tackle both immediate shocks and long-term trends such as ageing populations, the digital transition, and the impact of moves to net zero.
Against this backdrop, this global research explores what the future finance ministry looks like and how to prepare for it.
Based on interviews with 10 senior leaders from finance ministries – led by John McCarthy, chief economist in Ireland’s Department of Finance, working with Ian Hall, editor, Global Government Finance, and Richard Johnstone, executive editor, Global Government Forum – the study identifies four key themes: the evolving role of the finance ministry in response to uncertainty; the shift to more flexible finance systems that support outcomes; digital transformation and the growth of AI; and the battle for talent and trust.
(Published May 2026)
Partnerships
Partner with us to connect with senior government leaders, policymakers, public sector professionals and the organisations shaping the future of AI in public services.
Our partnership opportunities are designed to facilitate meaningful collaboration, knowledge sharing and engagement across the public sector. Whether you are a government department, local authority, public body or industry organisation, we help you share expertise, showcase innovation and contribute to the responsible adoption of AI across public services.
Join the Interviews Community
Be part of the growing community shaping the future of AI across government and the public sector.
Sign up to receive the latest AI news, research, events, webinars and practical insights from GGF and our partners. You'll be the first to hear about new reports, conferences, networking opportunities and thought leadership from government and industry experts.
Latest News
