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OECD warns ‘institutional incoherence’ is undermining members’ digital ambitions
Report identifies five challenges to digital transformation and a “common thread” of a lack of join up across individual initiatives, policy instruments and digital components The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) said in its first digital government outlook report that member states risked falling short of their service modernisation goals if key capability gaps remained unaddressed. The aim of the OECD Digital Government Outlook was to assess and measure the progress members states and accession candidates had…
Future of the finance ministry: The digital transformation opportunity
A global study of government finance leaders has revealed shared priorities and challenges in an era of unpredictable geopolitics and rapid digital transformation. The Future of the Finance Ministry study – published by Global Government Forum and sister title Global Government Finance – is based on interviews with 10 senior leaders from finance ministries around the world. The…
‘A blueprint for how the UK government deploys AI at scale’: HMRC signs deal to boost data, analytics and AI firepower
The UK’s HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has appointed UK-headquartered company Quantexa on a contract – potentially worth £175m (about $234m) over 10 years – to boost its data, analytics and artificial intelligence firepower. Quantexa, which describes itself as providing “decision intelligence to help organisations make confident decisions with contextual data”, said in an announcement…
Improving data, AI and evidence-led decision-making: takeaways from AccelerateGOV 2025
Use of data and AI in government is becoming ever-more important, so these themes were high on the agenda at AccelerateGOV 2025, with evidence of real progress being made on deploying AI A survey of AccelerateGOV attendees showed that real progress is being made in making use of data and AI. Regular use of data…
UK outlines methods to quantify benefits of digital investment in government
The UK Government Digital Service (GDS) has published a new framework providing “evidence and analytical methodologies” to make the case for investment in digital and data tools and capabilities. The guidance is aimed at those writing business cases as well as decision-makers. It notes that benefits can include productivity gains; improved user experience; reduced contractor…
Civil Service AI & Data Challenge finalists revealed
Four teams have been selected to go through to the Civil Service AI & Data Challenge finals, in which they will compete for £50,000 worth of digital product development to bring their ideas for improving government through the use of data and artificial intelligence to life. The Civil Service AI & Data Challenge is…
Work in progress: analysing digital transformation in the Government of Canada
Governments around the world are working to make digital transformation happen in order to improve services for citizens and support government priorities. This transformation is not just about implementing technology; it requires getting the right skills, culture, policies, and processes in place to capitalise on the benefits of data, AI, and digital tools Following the…
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…
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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)
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