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Why digital infrastructure will decide the future of democratic government
AI is reshaping how societies function, and governments must decide how to build the digital systems beneath it. Andres Raieste argues that embedding democratic principles in digital infrastructure can strengthen trust and create a virtuous cycle of efficiency. By Andres Raieste, SVP, Global Head of Public Sector, Nortal For nearly 20 years I have been…
From how governments are using AI to how Whitehall works: Global Government Forum’s top webinars of 2024
Global Government Forum’s regular webinars share insight on how governments around the world are tackling a host of policy issues, from the use of AI to how to structure government to deliver modern public services This article rounds up some of Global Government Forum’s (GGF) most popular webinars from 2024. Insight on how governments are…
UK Budget raises taxes by £40bn – but government departments must still make efficiency savings
UK chancellor Rachel Reeves has pledged there will be no return to austerity as she set out the first Labour budget since the party came to power – but government departments will still need to make 2% efficiency savings next year. In her statement yesterday, Reeves said that the government had inherited a serious situation…
Former UK Cabinet Office minister launches review into civil service governance and accountability
Francis Maude has launched a review into the efficiency and effectiveness of the UK civil service, focusing on leadership responsibility and autonomy and models of accountability. Maude oversaw wide-ranging reforms during his time as Cabinet Office minister between 2010 and 2015, and conducted a review of the Cabinet Office in 2020 that called for functions…
Digital Briefing: Shaping the EU’s Digital Future with Intelligent Automation
Date and time: 19 May 2022, 10:30-12:30 CEST Making digital transformation work for people, businesses, and public sector organizations is a key priority for the European Commission. The “Digital Decade” lays down the vision to achieve Europe’s digital transformation by 2030 while setting specific targets in different areas. With this, many opportunities lie ahead for…
Resilience, stocks and supplies: public procurement during the pandemic
When COVID hit, governments had to address a series of colossal procurement challenges – sourcing the services and goods required to keep people safe as global supply lines failed. At a GGF webinar, experts from around the world discussed what went well, what failed, and how commercial professionals can respond more effectively during the next…
UK Home Office launches new digital strategy
The Home Office is to establish a more “flexible and collective” approach to digital transformation – including consolidating its technology products and becoming more data-driven – in a three-year strategy that marks a major departure for the UK government department. Launched earlier this week by Simon Bourne, the Home Office’s chief digital, data and technology…
Strong but flexible: creating effective central project management offices
Central project management offices help to boost skills, delivery and oversight across departments. At a recent GGF webinar, experts highlighted the need to balance greater coordination and governance with the flexibility and autonomy required by frontline staff It’s something of a dichotomy that governments are responsible for delivering some of the biggest projects in the…
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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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