of automation, web, online services, cloud adoption, and automated decision making. Sometimes these technologies have become layered, driving incremental innovation, and sometimes the digital transformations have caused a destructive innovation where the previous paradigm has had to be discarded to make way for the new. However, wheth- er the change is incremental or destructive, the obligation to continue to provide gov- ernment service and to create new and im- proved services to meet society’s needs and expectations is unremitting.
dure, many companies have disappeared for- ever. This is a cautionary tale for both govern- ment and industry. Over the last 60 or so years since the creation of the silicon chip, futurists have been making bold predictions. Some of them, such as the increase in computing power over time, have been uncannily accurate, and others, such as the internet being a fad, horribly wrong. But at least in the Australian Government, there is an explicit acknowledgement that digital is per- meating every aspect of the delivery of govern- ment and that we need to continue to invest
vice (GaaS), big data, Internet of Things (IoT), and AI in future public service digital innova- tion. Governments also know that our digital future involves cyber threats, and that – given the lack of historical precedents – we must in- novate across technology, policy, and legisla- tive environments to protect our society and ourselves from harm. So where is digital taking us in government? The Australian Public Service workforce will need digital skills in the same way they now need language skills – they will be essential for our future success. Giving up ownership of dig-
us to plan and better understand our impact before we build or take-down. One massive benefit of using AI, and specifically Generative AI, is its ability to lift our productivity by col- lecting, synthesising, and providing insights. Deep learning will “see” patterns and solutions in data at a scale that is almost incomprehensi- ble, and this may be the key to resolving those “wicked problems” that have evaded tradition- al approaches in programs and policy by gov- ernments, like the growth of violent crime. This isn’t a futurist view; it is an eventuality that we must be prepared for. Our government can and will continue to innovate, and digital will be at the heart of it. Globally, governments have a small advantage in that they are, for the most part, not com- petitive, meaning that they can share digital innovation to deliver change sooner. Digital innovation is fuelling government evolution, and in the years ahead, it will do the same for business. Chris Fechner is the CEO of the Digital Trans- formation Agency, and the Head of Digital Profession– an organisation working to en- hance digital skills across the Australian Pub- lic Service.
While government and industry are clearly different, they share some common attributes. Where business and government leaders have invested the time and resources to understand and embed digital as a foundation of their or- ganisations, they have become more agile, ad- aptable, and resilient. Where leaders in govern- ment and industry have resisted the relentless march of digitisation, there is a similar story of increasing risk and decreasing flexibility and satisfaction. And while governments may en-
in digital transformation – not just now, but consistently into the future. Government has been transformed by E-government, Gov 2.0, and the soon incoming Gov 3.0. E-government automated government processes, Gov 2.0 evolved toward open, collaborative, coopera- tion with society, using networking and digital technology to engage and serve, and Gov 3.0 will reflect the need to apply governance and human values to technologies such as virtual and augmented reality, Government as a Ser-
ital technologies by moving to cloud will allow us to shift our attention from operating to inno- vating and scaling as needed without unneces- sary barriers. By using our vast amounts data and information, we can ethically and responsi- bly deliver targeted services and enhanced pro- tections to society, and in doing so, shift from a rigid process orientation to a focus on insights around our society’s needs. Digital twins will facilitate safe and convenient interaction and understanding of our physical world and allow
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