Innovation 2025 Articles
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Investment in modern tools key enabler of digital innovation in government
Investment in modern tools and platforms and associated training are considered critical to enabling governments to capitalise on digital and data for innovation, according to civil servants surveyed by Global Government Forum. The findings are from GGF research based on presentations and discussions at its Innovation 2025 conference held in London in March, as well as a…
Research identifies top skills that support innovation in government
When asked about the top skills for civil servants to develop so they can better drive innovation, adaptability to change is viewed as the most essential, with nearly 60% of respondents emphasising its importance. Collaboration and teamwork follow closely, as almost half of the participants deem these skills crucial. The findings are from Global Government…
Leadership ranked as the most critical factor for government innovation
Leadership support stands out as the most critical factor for fostering innovation in government, with 75% of civil servants surveyed by Global Government Forum (GGF) rating it as essential. The findings are from GGF research based on presentations and discussions at Global Government Forum’s Innovation 2025 conference held in London in March, as well as…
Global Government Forum research reveals the top factors that enable civil service innovation
Support from leaders, a culture of open communication and risk-taking, skills like adaptability, and access to the right tools and data are among the top factors that enable innovation to thrive in the civil service, according to new research from Global Government Forum (GGF). As governments around the world are trying to innovate to drive…
UK government to boost civil service AI skills in latest One Big Thing campaign
The UK civil service has said it will launch its newest One Big Thing campaign this autumn with a focus on artificial intelligence (AI). The One Big Thing initiative aims to upskill civil servants on key skills every year to create what the government called a “culture change”. Last year, One Big Thing focused…
Relive all the sessions from Innovation 2025
Thousands of delegates flocked to London in March to hear how government leaders from around the world are innovating to deliver high-quality services for citizens You can watch the sessions from the conference, held on 25 and 26 March, in London, on demand on the Innovation website. Watch the main stages on-demand for day 1…
Thawing the ‘middle management permafrost’: Management and workforce takeaways from Innovation 2025
Global Government Forum has used an artificial intelligence tool to analyse all the sessions at Innovation 2025 for takeaways relating to public and civil service management and workforce issues. Key topics discussed at Global Government Forum’s Innovation conference include addressing digital and data skills gaps within the civil service, creating a culture of innovation –…
Artificial intelligence takeaways from Innovation 2025
Global Government Forum has used an artificial intelligence tool to analyse all the sessions at Innovation 2025 for takeaways on how governments around the world are using AI to streamline their own operations and to deliver better public services. Key issues discussed at Global Government Forum’s Innovation conference include AI skills in government, the need…
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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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