Reflections from Public Service Data & AI 2025

Published 05/11/25 under:

On 18th September, our team joined public sector leaders and digital innovators at the Global Government Forum’s Public Service Data & AI conference in London, which explored how data and AI can transform government services.

The day opened with an inspiring keynote from Emily Middleton, Director General of the Digital Centre Design at the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT). Emily spoke about the power of AI to improve citizen experiences, enhance government services, and transform customer service through smarter, more responsive contact centres. She also highlighted the importance of AI accelerators to equip teams with the right skills, and the value of multidisciplinary collaboration — all building towards a modern digital government roadmap launching this autumn.

The key takeaway? The UK government is embracing a test and learn approach — encouraging innovation through experimentation, helping teams move faster, and scaling what works. Successful digital transformation often happens: through collaboration, iteration and trust.

Later, Lindsay Mason, Chief Data Officer for the UK Government, reinforced that data is the foundation for trustworthy and scalable AI. She shared how the government is building a national data library as a strategic resource, while emphasising the importance of ethics, transparency and clarity to strengthen public trust.

Throughout the day, the agenda further covered everything from data ethics and interoperability to real-world examples of AI adoption in government. We also heard from Gillian Dorner from the OECD, who shared insights from their new report Governing with Artificial Intelligence. Her message was clear — it’s not just about rolling out technology, it’s about creating the frameworks, guardrails and governance that make AI trustworthy and impactful for citizens.

For us, the event was a fantastic opportunity to reconnect with existing clients, meet new faces, and discuss how we can help public sector teams make digital transformation real — whether that’s through better data use, improved user experiences, or responsible AI.

What really stood out across every conversation was that scaling AI in government isn’t just about the tech — it’s about people, purpose and partnership.

You can reach the Kerv Central Gov Team at hello@kerv.com