Democratizing Analytics in the Public Sector

Transforming Data into Breakthroughs for the Public Sector The global pandemic that we are still living through has changed much of the way society operates, though even before the onset of COVID-19, most people accepted that modern societies were data-driven. Data is essentially the fuel that powers our societies, and it is so pervasive that the latest DOMO ‘Data Never Sleeps 9.0’ report found that the total amount of global data consumed in 2021 was 79 zettabytes (1021), projected to grow to 180 zettabytes by 2025. These numbers are staggering in their magnitude, but to the average citizen they are …

Data Management & Analytics Roadshow 2022 Highlights

This year's Data Management and Analytics Roadshow focused on exploring emerging techniques for data visualisation such as Data Sharing and Artificial Intelligence, as we shared real-world case studies and engage in thought-provoking roundtables.

Accelerating Data and Automation Transformation in the Public Service

When it comes to data verification, there are essential “three possible ways of proving who I say I am: through something I have, like a document or a card; through something that I know, like a name or a password; or through who I am, like fingerprints or facial recognition.” Biometrics is related to the third of these options, and there are a number of reasons why biometrics is the preferred option. Without biometrics, the verification of identity can be time-consuming and often has to be conducted “in service centres in-person.” On top of that, “the transaction is cumbersome both …

Data Visualisation and Dashboards Techniques

As an example, many people will know the colours of Google even if they don’t see the word spelled out, and they will know the font of Disney even if it is used to write something else. A lot of these kinds of brands are ingrained in our minds because they use all four elements and because “everything that we consume visually makes use of those well-known attributes within our brains.” In an organisation like the Inland Revenue Department there are four factors that have been included in the style guide, “though more elements can be added in there.” These …

Spotlight Interview: Data Management & Analytics Roadshow 2022

The general trend we are seeing in the industry is toward the integration of multiple different concepts and technologies to create an accurate picture of the entirety of an organisation's data landscape. Two prominent examples are the data fabric and data mesh architectures. In both cases, there is an emphasis on automation around metadata management, where metadata is viewed as “fuel” for AI-driven decision-making around automated data ops. As Data Fabric matures, we see that metadata management will require big updates on the conceptual level. To properly employ AI to drive data management tasks, metadata management solutions will have to …

Government Innovator Spotlight Q&A: Ed Kelly, CDO, State of Texas

As CDO for the State of Texas my role is multi-faceted. I have the great opportunity to work with almost every state agency and institution of higher education helping them to develop their data management programs. The office of the Chief Data Office (OCDO) serves as the chief evangelist for data best practices, as well as data broker, facilitator, trainer, and collaborator. I have worked in Texas state government for 14 years as a CIO, CAO and now a CDO for 6 years. When the opportunity came up to develop and manage a statewide program, I was very interested. Guess …

The Automation Change Management Puzzle

Automation, in the many forms it comes in – machine learning, robotic process automation, artificial intelligence – is on track to make a bigger impact on business and society than any previous technology. With the ability to make connections, see relationships and react faster and more efficiently we’re on the cusp of something huge. Ultimately automation at any level isn’t a technological journey – technology is easy, you just turn it on – automation is a psychological journey, one that goes hand in hand with a change management journey, with the brutal truth being that it doesn’t matter how much …

AI in the APS: Exploring Opportunity and Maturity

According to a report published by the CSIRO, the benefits of artificial intelligence (AI) in the APS and machine learning are estimate to be worth AU$22.17 trillion to the global economy by 2030. Additionally Data61, the CSIRO’s innovation hub, estimates that digital tech (including AI) will contribute an extra $315 billion in gross economic value to Australia over the next decade. Compelling applications of AI in the government space include those that identify tax-evasion patterns, sort through infrastructure data, improve decision-making for farmers and agribusiness, or sift through health and social-service data to prioritise cases for child welfare and support. …