Redefining Public Service

In a keynote address to British Columbia's public sector, at the December 2024 Government Innovation Showcase, provincial technology leader, Hayden Lansdell, BC's Associate Deputy Minister and Government Chief Information Officer, Office of the Chief Information Officer, delivered a compelling message to public sector leaders to embrace innovation that serves people first: "Digital transformation isn't just about technology—it's delivering better services to more people in ways they need them." His keynote showcased real-world wins: AI saving 11K work hours, cross-ministry collaboration cutting permit backlogs 20%, and equity-driven reforms like Indigenous name recognition in government systems. For teams tackling housing, climate, or service delays, this session revealed how to:

1. Work smarter (automate repetitive tasks)

2. Work together (break policy/IT silos)

3. Work equitably (embed inclusion in design)

Hayden's keynote revealed how BC leverages:

• Data-led decisions (e.g., gender/race equity standards improving service access)

• Human-centered design (e.g., Indigenous language integration in systems)

• AI + collaboration (11K hours saved via automation; 20% permit delays cut)

These approaches tackle pressing issues (housing, climate, equity) while rebuilding trust. Learn from these examples to rethink service delivery, data practices, and collaboration in your agency.