Gov AI, Geoff Mulgan and India’s Public Service

Weeknote: Jan 5, 2024

🚀 Gov AI Unconference & Social Recap:

The past week was a whirlwind, marking my first complete week of work in 2024, which ended on a high note with the Civic AI Observatory’s event. The focus was on AI resource sharing, exploring AI’s limits and impacts, and fostering collaboration. I had the opportunity to host a session on developing an AI assessment tool. We had an enriching discussion about the tool’s functionality, and using the inputs we gathered, we asked ChatGPT to help us create it. The result was impressive.

Key insights from the event emphasized the need to manage information overload, promote peer learning, and identify credible AI solutions. The organizers are planning monthly follow-ups, which I find to be a fantastic approach. I’m also contemplating the potential for a global virtual event as part of a worldwide AI-focused Community of Practice (CoP). 🤔

For a more detailed summary, visit my LinkedIn post.

What’s Sir Geoff Mulgan Working On?

This week, I had the privilege of conversing with Sir Geoff Mulgan, a figure I greatly admire in the government and tech sector. We discussed his current projects, which are:

• New Book on Science and Government: Geoff’s latest book delves into the crucial role of science in policymaking, highlighting the existing disconnect between governments and the scientific community. This is increasingly relevant in the face of challenges like climate change and global pandemics.
• The Institutional Architecture Lab: Geoff’s new lab focuses on how 21st-century public sector institutions should be designed, recognizing that many existing institutions like the UK’s NHS are over 70 years old. The lab will spearhead research projects related to this, with a focus on climate change and AI.
• Whole of Government Innovation: Geoff has led a project on aligning government strategies, missions, and tasks, producing several reports published through the EU last year. His holistic approach to systemic change is a highlight of his work.

Community Managers Breakfast

The monthly Community Managers Breakfast gathered UK public servants who lead communities of practice. Our discussion centered around running events, a vital component of thriving communities. We talked about catering to different personality types through diverse events, the importance of flow in event planning, and adapting to post-pandemic preferences for in-person meetings.

Learning about India’s Public Service

I met with Ankit Anand, who provided an overview of India’s public service. In India, public service candidates undergo a challenging national exam to even get into the public service. From there, they start their careers at the local level, gradually moving up to district administration roles. The public service is very much a lifelong career. It is rare for people to enter the public service from other sectors. Anand highlighted the need for better training and new technologies to support district administrators.