The Public Sector Podcast: AI Unlocked - From Data to Government Insights

Episode Overview

In this episode, we sit down with Dony Alex, Director of the Data Centre of Excellence at the Government of Alberta’s Ministry of Technology and Innovation. With more than a decade spent shaping Alberta’s data strategy, Dony shares how his team is building sustainable, federated data ecosystems to enable smarter decision-making powered by AI and analytics.

From breaking down silos and embedding governance, to preparing public sector data for the era of generative AI, Donnie offers a candid look at the challenges and opportunities of moving from raw data to AI-driven insights.

Topics We Cover

• From Data to Insights: Why transforming raw data into actionable insights is essential for improving public services and maintaining public trust.

• Overcoming Silos: The cultural and organisational hurdles of data governance—and how Alberta is making it simpler, collaborative, and scalable.

• Balancing Governance & Innovation: How leaders can “shift left” on governance and “shift right” on experimentation, creating safe environments for innovation.

• Semantic Data Architecture: Real-world examples of how reusable data assets and contextual frameworks drive better outcomes across health, transportation, and beyond.

• Generative AI & Government: Why AI isn’t replacing public servants—it’s enhancing human decision-making and freeing staff to focus on higher-value, human-centred work.

Key Takeaways

• Good decisions come from good data—and that requires governance built in from the start.
• A collaborative data culture makes sustainable, reusable, and scalable data products     possible.
• Generative AI can democratise access to insights, giving decision-makers the tools they need in real time.
• Responsible innovation = embedding governance and ethics without stifling creativity.

Why Listen

This conversation is a must-listen for public sector leaders, data strategists, and digital innovators. Dony not only explains why governments can’t afford to fall behind on data and AI, but also reveals how Alberta has already built a working MVP to prove that these ideas aren’t just theory—they’re practical, scalable, and cost-effective.

🎧 Tune in to learn how Alberta is preparing for the next wave of digital government, where data, governance, and AI converge to drive impact.