reforms Articles
NEED MINI SPONSOR LOGO
‘The war for talent’: APS assistant commissioner warns of challenges in attracting staff
Bringing highly-skilled workers into the Australian Public Service (APS) amid a competitive job market and ongoing crises has felt like a “never-ending journey” with difficulties still to come, Patrick Hetherington, the Australian Public Service Commission’s first assistant commissioner (APSC), has warned. At a virtual event that drew around 26,000 Australian public servants in Victoria this…
UK commission report calls for fewer, better-paid civil servants
Senior UK civil servants should have to show delivery experience outside Whitehall and demonstrate their skills in a set of key fields, according to a new report by an influential reform commission – though the commission also urges government to boost the civil servants’ pay and provide high-quality training. In a report published today, the…
Hope springs for a new wave of public sector transformation: a letter from Ottawa
Opinion: There is a chance to apply the lessons learned from the immediate response to COVID-19 to tackle a wide range of reforms in Canada. Michael Wernick, former clerk of the Privy Council, sketches out a change agenda – both in public policy, and in the hard wiring of government Spring comes late to most…
UK Cabinet Office announces new strategic digital unit
The UK’s Cabinet Office is overhauling the leadership of digital, data and technology, appointing a new head of the Government Digital Service plus leaders of a Central Digital and Data Office (CDDO), which it says will act as a “new strategic centre for digital, data and technology”. The CDDO will be led by two new…
From reaction to reform: preparing health services for the next COVID challenge
The pandemic has driven rapid reforms to healthcare as officials maintained service delivery while protecting patients and staff. But exhausted workforces now face new demands: at a GGF webinar, health leaders from the USA and UK discussed the lessons learned so far, and set out today’s priorities Healthcare services have undergone rapid change during the…
US federal workforce HR chief quits after six months
The director of the US Office of Personnel Management (OPM), Dale Cabaniss, resigned unexpectedly on Tuesday evening just six months after taking up the role. It is understood her decision to quit, effective immediately, is a result of frustration at interference from the White House. Her predecessor Jeff Pon resigned after seven months. According…
US Digital Service recruitment reforms set for roll-out
A pilot programme that streamlines the US government’s federal hiring process is to be expanded, according to an update to the President’s Management Agenda published last month. The US Digital Service (USDS) ran a six-month pilot programme last year to hire IT specialists at the Health and Human Services Department (HHS) and the National…
reforms Events, Conferences & Summits - In-Person
reforms Webinars
reforms 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 reforms 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
