GovernmentDX Articles
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Directed by data: how governments are creating user-centred services
During the pandemic, civil servants had to act fast to protect people – and to protect them, they first had to understand them. At GovernmentDX in Washington DC, digital leaders explored data technologies’ ability to paint a picture of their populations “Some populations were impacted more by the pandemic than others,” recalled Ima Okonny, chief…
A problem shared: how governments are tackling cyber threats
At GovernmentDX in Washington DC, top digital leaders from the US and beyond discussed how governments are protecting public services and infrastructure from the growing danger of cyber threats In an increasingly volatile world, governments around the world are facing cyber security threats that pose a risk to national security. Speaking in April during a…
The wrong kind of inheritance: how to replace legacy technology in government
In many countries, digital leaders can’t move forwards until they’ve first looked backwards – finding ways to handle an awkward legacy of outdated, inflexible technology systems. At the GovernmentDX summit in Washington DC, top IT chiefs explored how to transition away from an unwanted inheritance “Technology modernisation is not a destination; it’s an ongoing journey,”…
Digital transformation baton passes to Canada after GovernmentDX event in Washington DC
Welcome to Global Government Forum’s monthly Digital and Data Monitor. This month’s newsletter includes some reflections on the GovernmentDX conference held in Washington DC last week – as well as looking ahead to our upcoming events in Canada and beyond. And we want to hear from you about the innovations you are undertaking. Please get in…
Government DX 2024 – as it happened
GovernmentDX is an open conference held in Washington DC on 18 April that brought together global technology leaders to share insight and intelligence on how technology can be used to drive innovation and deliver high-quality public services. This article provides a summary of some of the discussions that were held.
Better digital public services on the agenda at inaugural GovernmentDX conference in Washington DC
Public servants from across the US federal government and beyond will come together this week to share insights on how to transform public services in the digital age. GovernmentDX is being held in Washington DC on 18 and 19 April. The event programme brings together global technology leaders to share insight and intelligence on how…
Making digitisation of government services successful: Five minutes with Iceland’s Vigdís Jóhannsdóttir
In this interview, Vigdís Jóhannsdóttir, chief marketing officer at Digital Iceland, tells Global Government Forum about building trust in digital, her fear that negative PR is stifling government projects, and why other countries could learn from Iceland’s parental leave policy. This is part of a ‘Five minutes’ series featuring speakers from this week’s Global Government Forum…
‘Challenge limits in the civil service’: Five minutes with 10 Downing Street’s chief analyst Laura Gilbert
Laura Gilbert, chief analyst and director of data science at the UK’s 10 Downing Street, discusses civil service possibilities and reforms, and inspiration from governments overseas. This is part of a ‘Five minutes’ series featuring speakers from this week’s Global Government Forum GovernmentDX event (Washington, D.C., April 18-19). During the conference, Gilbert will participate in a session on…
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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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