Public Sector Podcast

In this episode, we catch up with Rob Wilmot, General Manager and Managing Partner, IBM Consulting Canada about why AI is being positioned as a major productivity lever for government, particularly in Canada. Rob outlines the opportunity to move from pilots to real impact by applying AI to practical, high-volume processes and improving citizen experiences.

The conversation also covers what it takes to scale responsibly: strong governance and security, a focus on a few initiatives that can be embedded across workflows, and tackling the biggest barrier of all, messy, siloed data. Rob's view is that AI will mostly augment public servants by shifting work away from repetitive tasks and enabling better outcomes.
Rob Wilmot, General Manager and Managing Partner, IBM Consulting Canada
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This week, we are joined by Sarah Soto-Taylor, Deputy Secretary of Strategic Development, California Government Operations Agency and Chris Given, Deputy Secretary for Technology and Innovation, California Government Operations Agency who explore why cross-functional collaboration is essential for turning innovation into real-world impact. By bringing technologists and programme leaders into the same conversations, organisations can ensure emerging tools are aligned with operational priorities and practical needs — not just technical ambition.

We learn how to strengthen dialogue between technical and business teams, close the gap between capability and delivery, and create solutions that are relevant, usable and widely adopted. Listeners will gain insights into building more effective collaboration models that drive measurable results.
 
Sarah Soto-Taylor, Deputy Secretary of Strategic Development, California Government Operations Agency and Chris Given, Deputy Secretary for Technology and Innovation, California Government Operations Agency
 
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As data breaches become more common, governments need to be ready to respond quickly, clearly and in a way that protects public trust. Join  Arilea Sill, Chief Information Access and Privacy Officer, Province of Nova Scotia and Kathy Hartlen, Manager, Privacy Program, Province Nova Scotia as they delve into how the way an agency handles a breach can either undermine confidence or strengthen long-term resilience.

Our guests look at practical ways to manage breach response effectively, strengthen privacy and information management, and build a culture that treats data protection as everyone's responsibility. Arilea and Kathy describe lessons from real public sector incidents, how to improve governance and staff readiness, and why transparent communication is critical to maintaining public confidence.
Arilea Sill, Chief Information Access and Privacy Officer, Province of Nova Scotia, Kathy Hartlen, Manager, Privacy Program, Province Nova Scotia
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In this episode, Shawnzia Thomas, State Chief Information Officer and Executive Director, Georgia Technology Authority explores how Georgia is advancing digital transformation by weaving innovation into the fabric of everyday government operations. Shawnzia highlights how leaders are moving beyond pilots and positioning technology as a core driver of smarter, more responsive governance — with a clear focus on delivering outcomes that genuinely improve citizens' lives.

From leveraging AI and automation to streamline operations and enhance engagement, to strengthening digital equity and inclusive access, Georgia's approach is both ambitious and practical. The conversation also unpacks how secure cloud adoption, Zero Trust strategies and scalable innovation models are helping build a more resilient, future-ready state.
Shawnzia Thomas, State Chief Information Officer and Executive Director, Georgia Technology Authority
For more great insights head to www.PublicSectorNetwork.co

Tune in this week to hear Peter Floyd, Chief Digital Officer at the Department of Local Government, Water and Volunteers, as he shares a practical and people-focused approach to making cyber security everyone's business. He explains why most cyber risk comes from everyday behaviours—not technology—and how organisations can lift awareness and capability across the workforce without extra budget or heavy technical language.

Through real examples, Peter shows how short, engaging communications, humour, and simple behavioural nudges can dramatically improve cyber awareness and reduce risk. The episode offers clear, relatable lessons for public sector leaders looking to build a stronger security culture by meeting people where they are and making cyber relevant to their daily work and lives.
Peter Floyd, Chief Digital Officer, Department of Local Government, Water and Volunteers
For more great insights head to www.PublicSectorNetwork.co