Public Sector Podcast

Montgomery County is treating AI as a practical capacity multiplier for local government—helping teams respond faster, reduce admin burden, and improve outcomes in high-volume services like elections, 911, courts, and human services. 

Join Neil Makhija, Commissioner, Montgomery County as he explores how counties can move beyond interest and pilots into resident-centred implementation that delivers more accurate service at scale. Neil focuses on what it takes to operationalise AI responsibly: targeting use cases with immediate public impact, building governance and guardrails that deploy with the system, being transparent about where AI is used while keeping humans accountable, and proactively managing risks like misinformation, bias, and privacy/security. It also highlights the importance of workforce readiness and measuring outcomes so performance improvements are sustainable.
Neil Makhija, Commissioner, Montgomery County
 
 
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In this episode, Emma Bickerstaffe, Director Cyber Defence Operations, New Zealand's National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) shares what it takes to build a cyber resilient nation in a more volatile geopolitical environment, where success depends less on "being prepared" and more on staying agile, adaptive, and coordinated across government and the wider economy.
Emma breaks down the threat landscape through NCSC's key judgements: persistent state-sponsored activity, industrialised cyber crime (increasingly accelerated by AI), hacktivism linked to global conflict, supply chain exposure, and the ongoing damage caused by weak fundamentals like patching and identity security. It also connects these risks to New Zealand's 2026–2030 cybersecurity strategy and reinforces a simple message: report incidents, work together, and get the basics right, faster.
Emma Bickerstaffe, Director Cyber Defence Operations, National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC)
 
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A future-ready NSW Government depends on how well public servants and AI work together, not on people or technology alone. This week, Raffaele Marcelino, Executive Director, Learning and Teaching, Tafe NSW, Jane Lin, Executive Director Data, Strategy and Performance, Department of Creative Industries, Tourism, Hospitality and Sport, Andrew Spiegelman, Head of Data & Analytics, Service NSW, Dan Bowes, Facilitator, Deputy Chief Operating Officer, TAFE NSW explore how AI is reshaping government roles through 2027 and beyond, boosting productivity by supporting frontline work rather than replacing it.
Our guests so look at workforce readiness: how teams are starting to use AI, which skills are emerging or missing, and what practical upskilling is needed to build confidence and adoption—through targeted digital and data capability building.
 
Raffaele Marcelino, Executive Director, Learning and Teaching, Tafe NSW, Jane Lin, Executive Director Data, Strategy and Performance, Department of Creative Industries, Tourism, Hospitality and Sport, Andrew Spiegelman, Head of Data & Analytics, Service NSW, Dan Bowes, Facilitator, Deputy Chief Operating Officer, TAFE NSW
 
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In this episode, Lee Hickin, Executive Director, National AI Centre breaks down what responsible AI actually means for small to medium enterprises in Australia—and why vague advice is one of the biggest reasons SMEs hesitate to adopt. Through the work of the National AI Centre, the talk reframes "responsible" as something practical and achievable, not a heavyweight compliance exercise.
You'll hear a simple approach to adoption built around the AI Six: clear accountability, basic risk and impact thinking, transparency at the right level, ongoing testing, and maintaining human control. The episode's core message is cultural: confidence comes from leadership setting clear expectations, investing in capability, and treating AI as "you + AI", not "you vs AI."
Lee Hickin, Executive Director, National AI Centre
 
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Government doesn't transform just by buying new tech — it transforms when it modernises operations. Join Rip Colvin, Executive Director, Florida Justice Administrative Commission as he digs into how leaders upgrade the systems, processes, and capabilities that improve execution, strengthen accountability, and ultimately deliver better public services.
Rip explores how "back office" functions like finance, procurement, contracts, and administration become strategic enablers; how to simplify complexity without losing transparency or public trust; and how platforms, automation, and digital workflows can reduce admin load, improve visibility, and free teams to focus on higher-value work — while building organisations that are ready for whatever comes next.
 
Rip Colvin, Executive Director, Florida Justice Administrative Commission.
 
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