North America Articles
NEED MINI SPONSOR LOGO
Canadian Government’s export credit agency issues country’s first tokenised bond
Canada’s export credit agency has issued the country’s first tokenised bond using distributed-ledger technology (DLT). The pioneering issuance serves as the latest example in a global trend towards using DLT for bond issuances, with the wider collaboration surrounding the initiative being hailed by a member of the country’s central bank’s executive council as “showing how…
US government launches Tech Force to bring in digital talent
The US has announced a new cross-government initiative to “recruit top technologists to modernise the federal government”. Through the US Tech Force, an initial cohort of around 1,000 technology specialists will be hired by agencies on two-year employment contracts, with annual salaries expected to be in the range of $150,000 to $200,000. The primary focus will…
Canadian government steps up anti-fraud efforts including new Financial Crimes Agency
The Government of Canada is to introduce the first cross-government national anti-fraud strategy and set up a new agency to tackle financial crime. The moves – which aim to tackle what is described as “an ever-growing threat to the financial wellbeing of Canadians everywhere” – will form part of the upcoming federal Budget 2025, to be…
Trump administration lays off thousands of federal employees amid government shutdown
More than 4,000 US federal workers were sent layoff notices last week, according to court documents filed by the Trump administration, which is using the government shutdown to continue reductions in force. In addition, an estimated 900,000 government employees have been furloughed, while another 750,000 are working without pay. The shutdown began on 1 October…
US federal CIO urges vendors to offer government ‘best-and-final-first pricing’
Gregory Barbaccia, chief information officer of the US federal government, has warned companies not to submit “balloon quotes” when bidding for government contracts, and said procurement incentives should be changed to save taxpayer dollars. In a LinkedIn Post last week, Barbaccia gave the example of a “household-name vendor” that had provided a quote to an…
Canada opens consultation on next national AI strategy
The Government of Canada has launched an AI Strategy Task Force and a 30-day public consultation to shape the way AI is used in government and across the economy. Ideas gathered from members of the task force and feedback from stakeholders and citizens will inform a renewed national AI strategy that the government said it…
Canadian government IT agency flags digital risks and opportunities
In a briefing for Joel Lightbound, minister of government transformation, public works and procurement, leaders at Shared Services Canada (SSC) have outlined key challenges and opportunities for government digital transformation. Lightbound’s appointment was announced in May, expanding the job title, which was previously minister of public services and procurement. In transition materials published in August,…
Most Canadians want government to regulate AI, poll finds
A majority of Canadian citizens believe artificial intelligence (AI) should be regulated to ensure the technology is used safely and responsibly, according to a survey published on 25 August. The survey carried out by Leger, a North American market research firm, took place online between 22 August and 25 August, and involved answers from 1,518…
North America Events, Conferences & Summits - In-Person
North America Webinars
North America 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 North America 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
