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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…
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…
Climate innovation finance ‘essential’ to meeting sustainability goals, says UN
Organisations involved in financing sustainability projects have been urged to focus on driving long-term system-wide change to help realise net zero ambitions. A meeting convened by UN Climate Change bodies the Technology Executive Committee and the Climate Technology Centre and Network last month highlighted a need for policy coherence, systemic approaches and multi-level collaboration to…
Trump administration sets guardrails for AI use and acquisition within government agencies
US federal agencies received two memos on 3 April from the US Office of Management and Budget (OMB) containing guidelines on how to use and procure artificial intelligence in government. The memos replace earlier guidance on AI use in government put out under president Biden, but retain some of its points. The first of…
Looking skyward: how governments are moving from cloud-first to cloud-smart
Cloud computing offers numerous benefits – but governments must ensure that its use is effective in providing rapid, secure, and stable access to digital services. At the Global Government Digital Summit, digital leaders explained how Governments are beginning to save serious money by shifting to cloud services – but the benefits of adopting cloud go…
Innovation key to unlocking gains in productivity and resilience, says UK audit chief
Public service leaders should articulate risk appetite, harness the potential of new technologies and develop a culture of fast learning and adaptation if they are to boost innovation in government, the head of the UK government’s auditor has said. Such action is crucial to build civil service productivity and the UK’s resilience to shocks, which…
President Trump signs fresh AI directive after revoking Biden order
The Trump administration has introduced an executive order that aims to solidify the US as the world leader in AI. The ‘Removing barriers to American leadership in artificial intelligence’ order stated that it is the policy of the United States “to sustain and enhance America’s global AI dominance in order to promote human flourishing,…
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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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