Tech Trends Transforming the Public Sector
The evolving landscape of technology in the public sector is reshaping the way governments operate, interact with citizens and provide essential services. As digitisation accelerates, public sector staff require a high-level of digital literacy to use new technologies and also identify potential cybersecurity threats, understand data privacy norms and contribute to digital transformation initiatives.
Many public sector organisations are investing in in-depth digital literacy programmes, such as the Civil Service’s digital skills imperative that aims to equip all staff with the tools and knowledge for a digital future.
So, what are the top technologies trending in the public sector in 2024?
1. Cloud computing
The public sector is embracing cloud computing to enhance agility, scalability, and resilience in their operations. Cloud allows for seamless data storage and retrieval, supporting remote work, and enabling efficient application deployment. This shift is proven beneficial in managing large datasets, enhancing service delivery, and improving collaboration among departments.
2. Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML)
AI and ML are revolutionising the public sector by automating tasks, improving decision-making, and enabling predictive analysis. For instance, AI is used in healthcare for early diagnosis, freeing up doctors’ time spent doing admin tasks, and automating the referral process. Similarly, ML is used in transportation for traffic prediction, and both AI and ML technologies in the defence sector for threat detection.
3. 5G deployment
5G technology brings about a transformative impact on various aspects of public services and urban development. Its high-speed connectivity facilitates near-instantaneous data transfer and low-latency communications, improving the efficiency of public sector organisations. In the realm of smart cities, 5G infrastructure enables interconnected devices and sensors to collect and transmit real-time data, optimising traffic management, energy consumption, waste management, and public safety. Emergency services benefit from 5G through enhanced capabilities like real-time video streaming for assessment and rapid access to critical data.
In addition to these advancements, 5G contributes to improved public transportation by enabling real-time vehicle tracking, route optimisation, and providing passengers with up-to-date information. Furthermore, 5G bridges the digital divide in education by providing high-quality internet access for remote learning, ensuring equitable educational opportunities, a particularly crucial development during the COVID-19 pandemic especially.
4. Blockchain technology
Blockchain, initially known for its role in finance and cryptocurrency, is finding applications in public services. Notably, the UK’s Food Standard Agency (FSA) conducted a successful pilot in 2018, tracking meat distribution in a cattle slaughterhouse using blockchain. This marked the first use of distributed ledger technology for food sector compliance monitoring.
Now, other government bodies, such as HM Land Registry and the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP), have also explored blockchain’s potential, for example improving land registration, identity management, and making benefits payments more efficient.
5. Internet of Things (IoT)
IoT (Internet of Things) is driving a profound transformation in public sector technology. In smart cities, IoT applications like adaptive street lighting and optimised waste management enhance urban living while reducing energy consumption and environmental impact. Public safety benefits from surveillance systems and predictive analytics, enabling quicker disaster responses and law enforcement capabilities
IoT also empowers resource management by monitoring water quality, optimising agriculture, and improving healthcare through remote patient monitoring. Much like 5G, IoT provides real-time data and insights to enhance service delivery, optimising traffic flow and public transportation, providing accurate schedules, and improving emergency response.
6. Sustainable technology
The public sector’s growing commitment to environmental sustainability is a crucial step in mitigating ecological impacts and contributing to a more eco-conscious future. One significant aspect of this shift involves the adoption of energy-efficient technologies. Public buildings, transportation systems, and infrastructure are being designed and retrofitted to minimise energy consumption, leading to reduced greenhouse gas emissions and lower operational costs.
Furthermore, public sector organisations are increasingly investing in renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and hydropower. By harnessing clean and sustainable energy, they not only reduce their carbon footprint but also achieve long-term cost savings as renewable energy becomes more economically viable.
The successful continuous realisation of these technological advancements relies on a robust digital infrastructure, government support and perhaps most crucially, a skilled and digitally literate workforce.
Heather Cover-Kus
Heather is Head of Central Government Programme at techUK, working to represent the supplier community of tech products and services to Central Government.
Ellie Huckle
Ellie joined techUK in March 2018 as a Programme Assistant to the Public Sector team and now works as a Programme Manager for the Central Government Programme.
Annie Collings
Annie joined techUK as the Programme Manager for Cyber Security and Central Government in September 2023.
Austin Earl
Austin joined techUK’s Central Government team in March 2024 to launch a workstream within education and edtech.
Ella Gago-Brookes
Ella joined techUK in November 2023 as a Markets Team Assistant, supporting the Justice and Emergency Services, Central Government and Financial Services Programmes.
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