Increasing AI & Automation in the public sector: what does it mean for suppliers?
The Building the Smarter State 2023 summit brought together over 200 senior leaders and decision-makers from across the public sector, focusing on public sector digital transformation.
Within the packed agenda, one talk, in particular, stood out to us: Piers Campbell's (Data and AI Guild Lead at Capita) 'Transforming to a citizen-centric model with intelligent automation'.
During the session, the panellists discussed the opportunities and challenges posed by rolling around automation and AI in the public sector. They emphasised the potential benefits of automation, including increased agility, efficiency and improvements in citizens' lives.
In this blog, we've summarised the discussion's key talking points, and asked: what does the mounting adoption of AI & automation in the public sector mean for suppliers?
Key takeaways
One of the key points made during the presentation was the importance of executive support and subject matter expertise in automation initiatives.
They mentioned that some organisations struggle to scale automation beyond initial pilot projects, and departmental scaling can create new bottlenecks. To address these challenges, they emphasised the need for a holistic approach to automation and AI, including the infusion of AI capabilities to enhance automation processes.
The speakers also discussed the potential applications of automation and AI in fraud detection and prevention. They highlighted the advantages of automation in data analysis and mentioned the importance of governance and policies when implementing generative AI.
In terms of technology enhancements, the panellists highlighted the role of automation in modernising legacy applications and making them more efficient, stressing the importance of composable services and customer collaboration.
The presentation concluded by encouraging organisations to start their automation journeys and highlighting the potential benefits for automation when implemented correctly.
Opportunities for public sector suppliers
Today, public sector suppliers find themselves at the nexus of a transformative journey with the use of automation and AI technologies in the public sector ushering in new possibilities.
3 clear opportunities were identified by the panel:
1. Market Expansion
The integration of automation and AI in the public sector signifies a burgeoning market with vast potential for growth which public sector suppliers could capitalise on by adapting their product and service offerings to align with the evolving needs of government agencies.
As automation becomes more pervasive, there is a growing demand for these solutions thus suppliers who invest in developing automation-focused products and services are well-positioned to meet this demand.
Moreover, public sector suppliers can tailor their automation solutions to cater to the diverse needs of these entities.
2. Increased Demand
Automation is no longer a novel concept in the public sector; it has become a strategic imperative.
Government agencies are increasingly recognising that automation and AI can lead to significant cost savings, improved service delivery, and enhanced citizen experiences. This heightened awareness translates into a growing demand for automation solutions, presenting a vast market opportunity for suppliers.
Public sector suppliers have the opportunity to position themselves as trusted advisors, offering not just products but comprehensive solutions that address the unique challenges faced by government entities.
3. Collaborative Partnerships
The successful adoption of automation in the public sector hinges on collaborative partnerships between suppliers and government agencies.
Public sector suppliers who proactively engage with their clients can gain a deeper understanding of the agencies' pain points, operational intricacies, and strategic goals. By doing so, suppliers can co-create automation solutions that align perfectly with the agency's objectives.
Collaboration also fosters innovation. Suppliers working closely with public sector clients can identify new use cases for automation and AI, creating tailored solutions that drive operational efficiencies and improve public services. This collaborative approach not only enhances the supplier-client relationship but also positions the supplier as a strategic partner invested in the long-term success of the agency.
Our thoughts
Automation and AI present significant opportunities for public sector suppliers to expand their market presence, meet increasing demand and forge strong collaborative partnerships with government agencies.
To capitalise on these opportunities, suppliers should adapt their offerings, build subject matter expertise, and proactively engage with clients to co-create solutions that drive positive outcomes in the rapidly evolving public sector landscape.
If you're serious about delivering AI and automation services to the public sector, you'll need hard data to understand who's buying it, who with, and through which routes-to-market. Tussell's market intelligence platform can reveal all of this, and more. To learn more, click here.
To read the full version of this article, which also looks at challenges that suppliers may face in this market, head to the Tussell website.
Thank you again to our partners techUK for the invitation to BTSS 2023, and to all the speakers for their insightful talks - it really was a great lineup to be a part of!