AI and the Future of the Public Sector

Discover how data, analytics, and AI will transform public services for the better

In AI and the Future of the Public Sector: The Creation of Public Sector 4.0, renowned executive and consultant Tony Boobier delivers a comprehensive reference of the most relevant and central issues regarding the adoption and implementation of AI in the public sector. In the book, you'll find out why data and analytics are the solution to significant and ongoing problems in the public service relating to its ability to effectively provide services in an environment of reduced funding. You'll also discover the likely impact of future technological developments, like 5G and quantum computing, as well as explore the future of healthcare and the effective digitalization of the healthcare industry.

The book also offers:

• Discussions of policing 4.0 and how data and analytics will transform public safety
• Explorations of the future of education and how ai can dramatically enhance educational standards while reducing costs
• Treatments of the internationalization of public services and its impact on agencies and departments everywhere

A can't-miss resource for public sector employees at the managerial and professional levels, AI and the Future of the Public Sector is an insightful and timely blueprint to the effective use of artificial intelligence that belongs in the bookshelves of policy makers, academics, and public servants around the world.

Acknowledgments xv

About the Author xvii

Introduction xix

Chapter 1

Understanding the Key Building Blocks of Progress 1

1.1 Introduction 1

1.2 Key Building Blocks of Data Science and AI 2

1.2.1 Data Acquisition 2

1.2.2 Data Maintenance 2

1.2.3 Analysis 3

1.2.4 Communication 3

1.2.5 Machine Learning 4

1.2.6 Artificial Intelligence 4

1.2.7 Advantages and Disadvantages 4

1.2.8 Four Key Focuses for Future AI 5

1.3 Quantum Computing 7

1.3.1 What Is Quantum Computing? 7

1.3.2 Impact on Cybersecurity 9

1.4 Proliferation of Devices 9

1.5 5G and the Impact of Advanced Communications 11

1.5.1 Global Transformation 12

1.6 Public Sectors 4.0 12

1.7 Conclusion 14

1.8 Notes 15

Chapter 2

Office of Finance 17

2.1 Introduction 17

2.2 Forecasting and Public Finance Management 18

2.3 Forecasting 19

2.3.1 Qualitative Forecasting 19

2.3.2 Quantitative Forecasting 20

2.3.3 Forecasting for Public Sector Transformation 21

2.3.4 Managing Risk and Uncertainty 22

2.3.5 Forecasting in IT Projects 23

2.3.6 The Move Toward Activity-Based Costing 24

2.3.7 Hard Benefits and Soft Benefits 24

2.3.8 Enterprise Resource Planning 26

2.3.9 AI and Governmental Administration 28

2.3.10 Global Partnership on AI 29

2.4 Conclusion 30

2.5 Notes 30

Chapter 3

Public Order and Safety 33

3.1 Introduction 33

3.2 The Future of Policing in an AI Era 33

3.2.1 Transformation of Police Work 34

3.2.2 Criminal Use of AI 36

3.2.3 Police Use of New Technologies 36

3.2.4 Case Studies in Policing 37

3.2.5 Policing in China 38

3.2.6 Forward-Looking Policing 39

3.3 AI in Policing 41

3.3.1 Impact on Police Behavior 42

3.4 The Citizen as a Key Component of Future Policing 42

3.5 Police and Location Analytics 43

3.6 Policing Summary 44

3.7 Border Security and AI 45

3.8 Customs Reform 46

3.8.1 The Citizen and Taxation 47

3.9 Fire Safety and AI 48

3.9.1 Natural Fire Prevention 49

3.9.2 Prevention of Urban Fires 49

3.9.3 Smart Homes and Fire Detection 49

3.9.4 Commercial Fire Prevention 50

3.9.5 Firefighting Using AI 50

3.9.6 Fire Station Locations 51

3.10 Conclusion 51

3.11 Notes 52

Chapter 4

Personal Social Services 55

4.1 Introduction 55

4.2 Care Homes 56

4.2.1 The UK Model 57

4.2.2 Care Homes in Japan 59

4.2.3 The Canadian Picture 60

4.2.4 The Emergence of AgeTech 60

4.2.5 Going Forward 61

4.2.6 Conclusion 61

4.3 Impact on Children 62

4.4 Mental Health 64

4.5 Social Protection 66

4.5.1 Social Risk Framework 67

4.6 Employment and Benefit Management 70

4.7 Conclusion 72

4.8 Notes 73

Chapter 5

Health 77

5.1 Introduction 77

5.2 Digitalization and Its Importance in Healthcare 77

5.2.1 Different Categories of Data Sources in Healthcare 78

5.3 Medical Monitoring and Biosensors 79

5.3.1 Use of Biosensors in Mental Health 81

5.4 Innovating to Zero in Healthcare 82

5.4.1 Zero Invasive Surgery 82

5.4.2 Zero Waste Management 83

5.4.3 Zero Surgical Errors 84

5.5 Tissue Engineering 84

5.6 Cybernetics 85

5.7 Advancements in Drug Creation and Treatment 86

5.8 Case Studies in Healthcare 87

5.8.1 Ping An Good Doctor 87

5.8.2 Cancer Screening Case Study 87

5.9 Paramedics and AI 88

5.10 Cybersecurity in Healthcare 89

5.11 Conclusion 90

5.12 Notes 91

Chapter 6

Education 93

6.1 Introduction 93

6.2 Learning for the Future 94

6.3 Teaching in the Future 96

6.3.1 The Use of AI for Predicting Exam Success 97

6.4 AI and Language in the Classroom 98

6.4.1 Automated Essay Scoring 98

6.4.2 Removing Communication Barriers 99

6.5 Robots in the Classroom 99

6.6 The Shortage of Tech Talent 100

6.7 Case Studies in Education 101

6.8 Conclusion 101

6.9 Notes 102

Chapter 7

Defense 105

7.1 Introduction 105

7.2 Use Cases of AI in Defense 106

7.2.1 Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance 107

7.2.2 Logistics 108

7.2.3 Cyberspace Operations 108

7.2.4 Information Operations and “Deep Fakes” 108

7.2.5 Command and Control 108

7.2.6 AI and Augmented Reality Soldiers 109

7.2.7 Semi-Autonomous and Autonomous Vehicles 109

7.3 Ethical Issues 110

7.4 Drones 111

7.5 Conclusion 113

7.6 Notes 114

Chapter 8

Smarter Cities and Transportation 115

8.1 Introduction 115

8.2 Smarter Cities 115

8.2.1 Smart Infrastructure 116

8.2.2 Smart Transportation 116

8.2.3 Street Lighting 116

8.2.4 Water Utilities 117

8.2.5 Emergency Services 117

8.2.6 Waste Collection and Disposal 118

8.2.7 Maintenance of Public Places 118

8.2.8 Humans as Devices 118

8.2.9 Data Challenges for Smart Cities 119

8.3 Transportation 119

8.3.1 Traffic Management 120

8.3.2 Road Safety 120

8.3.3 Highway Maintenance 121

8.3.4 Autonomous Trams 121

8.3.5 Autonomous Taxis 123

8.4 Railways and the Future of Rail 123

8.4.1 Net Zero in Rail 124

8.4.2 AI and Effective Rail Timetabling 125

8.5 Air Travel 126

8.6 Conclusion 128

8.7 Notes 128

Chapter 9

Housing and the Environment 131

9.1 Introduction 131

9.2 AI in Social Housing 131

9.2.1 Risk Management in Social Housing 133

9.2.2 Transforming the Tenant Experience 133

9.2.3 Case Study – Housemark Pilot 134

9.2.4 Social Housing Fraud 135

9.2.5 Tenant Viewpoint 136

9.2.6 AI as a Virtual Housing Assistant 137

9.2.7 Chatbots in Social Housing 137

9.3 AI and the Environment 138

9.4 Management of Natural Disasters 139

9.4.1 Flooding and Flood Management 139

9.4.2 Flood Defense 140

9.4.3 Earthquakes, Windstorms, and Forest Fires 141

9.5 Conclusion 141

9.6 Notes 142

Chapter 10

Employment, Industry, and Agriculture 145

10.1 Introduction 145

10.2 Employment 145

10.2.1 Unemployment 146

10.3 AI and Industry 148

10.3.1 State-Owned Enterprises 149

10.3.2 China Model 150

10.3.3 South African Model 150

10.3.4 UK Model 150

10.3.5 SOEs in the United States 151

10.4 Agriculture 151

10.4.1 The Role of AI in Agricultural Policy 152

10.4.2 The Role of AI in Environmental Issues 153

10.5 Conclusion 153

10.6 Notes 154

Chapter 11

The Role of the State 157

11.1 Introduction 157

11.2 What Is the Role of the State? 157

11.3 What Is Surveillance? 159

11.4 Reasons for Surveillance 160

11.5 Surveillance Capitalism 161

11.6 Surveillance in Covid “Track and Trace” 163

11.7 Data Justice and Independent Oversight 164

11.8 A Contrary View 166

11.9 The Ethics of Surveillance 167

11.10 Nudging the Citizen 168

11.11 Conclusion 170

11.12 Notes 171

Chapter 12

Risk and Cybercrime 173

12.1 Introduction 173

12.2 The Nature of Risk 173

12.2.1 Management of Risk 174

12.2.2 Three Lines of Risk Defense 176

12.3 Roles and Responsibilities in the Public Sector 176

12.4 Examples of Risk 176

12.4.1 Technology and System Failure 177

12.4.2 Data Security and Privacy 178

12.4.3 Employee Error 179

12.4.4 Failure of Processes, Systems, and Policies 180

12.4.5 Reputational Risk 181

12.4.6 External Risk 183

12.5 Cybercrime in the Public Sector 183

12.6 Prevention of Cybercrime and Protection from It 186

12.6.1 Air Gapping 186

12.6.2 Supply Chain Vulnerability 186

12.6.3 Impact on Insurance Coverage 187

12.7 The Use of AI in Managing Risk 187

12.8 Conclusion 188

12.9 Notes 189

Chapter 13

Implementation – Leadership and Management 191

13.1 Introduction 191

13.2 Leadership 192

13.2.1 Transfer of Private Sector Leaders to the Public Sector 195

13.3 Leaders or Managers? 196

13.4 Managing the Mission 197

13.4.1 Creating the Mission 197

13.4.2 Prioritization: Where to Start? 198

13.4.3 Communicating the Mission Statement 199

13.5 Management of Resources 201

13.5.1 Technical versus Traditional 201

13.5.2 Specialist versus Generalist 201

13.5.3 Training and Education 202

13.6 Management of Key Stakeholders 204

13.6.1 Worker Representation and Trade Unions 205

13.6.2 US Policy Recommendations 207

13.6.3 German Policy Recommendations 208

13.6.4 “Dignity at Work” and Working from Home 209

13.7 Conclusion 211

13.8 Notes 211

Chapter 14

Further Implementation Issues 213

14.1 Introduction 213

14.2 A Theoretical Approach to Change 213

14.3 Managing the Problem of Bias 217

14.3.1 Data Exclusion from Marginalized Communities 219

14.3.2 Locational Data Issues 220

14.4 Operational Considerations 220

14.4.1 Piloting and Test Running the System 220

14.4.2 Measuring Benefit 221

14.4.3 Independent Review 222

14.5 Outsourcing, Partnering, and Supply Chain Management 222

14.6 The Concept of “Nudge” 226

14.7 Global Considerations 228

14.8 Conclusion 231

14.9 Notes 232

Chapter 15

Conclusion 233

15.1 Reflections 233

15.2 AI and the Real Pace of Change 234

15.3 Measuring ROI – More Art Than Science? 235

15.4 AI and Stimulation of Wider Reforms 236

15.5 The Role of Government in Public Sector Transformation 237

15.6 Moving the Goalposts 238

15.7 Notes 239

Appendix A: The Seven Principles of Public Life 241

Appendix B: Transformation Roadmap for Public Services 243

Appendix C: List of Tables 245

Appendix D: List of Figures 247

Index 249

TONY BOOBIER is an independent consultant and former IBM worldwide executive with over 30 years’ experience in the fields of financial services, business intelligence, and analytics. He holds professional qualifications in engineering, marketing, supply chain management, and insurance.

The public sector has not remained untouched by revolutionary advances in technology. While progress may be slower than in the private sector—where the philosophy of “move fast and break things” is less likely to disrupt essential services—modern governments are increasingly experimenting with artificial intelligence, machine learning, and other of-the-moment technologies to enhance service delivery.

In AI and the Future of the Public Sector: The Creation of Public Sector 4.0, Tony Boobier delivers an eye-opening and insightful discussion of the adoption and implementation of artificial intelligence (AI) in the public sector. The author explains why data and analytics are such effective solutions to ongoing, systemic issues in the delivery of public services in an age of restricted public spending and reduced funding.

The book also explores the likely impact of future technological developments, including 5G and quantum computing, on areas like digital healthcare delivery, the management of public safety services, and the design of education services and improvement of educational standards. It also presents exciting developments in the internationalization of public services and how that will impact agencies and departments around the world.

AI and the Future of the Public Sector examines key issues in the management of public finances, including treatments of the use of “rolling forecasts” in the estimation of deficits and surpluses and the spending of public funds.

An indispensable resource for public sector employees at the managerial and professional levels, AI and the Future of the Public Sector will also earn a place in the libraries of researchers and students interested in the delivery and management of public services, policy makers, and public servants around the globe.

Transforming public service delivery with the latest technology

AI and the Future of the Public Sector: The Creation of Public Sector 4.0 offers readers a fascinating and practical exploration of the impact of cutting-edge technologies on service delivery in the public sector. Tony Boobier delivers compelling discussions of Big Data solutions to age-old government service issues, including inefficiency, communications, and budget forecast inaccuracy.

This book provides coverage of how data and analytics have already begun to transform—and will continue to revolutionize—how governments around the globe offer services to their citizens. From healthcare digitization to rolling financial forecasts, AI and the Future of the Public Sector examines the philosophical, ethical, and technical issues that arise when the state gets its hands on powerful new technologies.

A can't-miss handbook for public sector employees, managers, and policy makers, this book presents modern solutions to age-old problems in government service delivery. It is a vital addition to the libraries of students, researchers, and public servants interested in transforming public services for the better.

WHAT EXPERTS SAY ABOUT

AI AND THE FUTURE OF THE PUBLIC SECTOR

"Tony tackles a subject that most seem to want to leave on the side. To do so is now at your own peril. The analysis of the depth and breadth of AI in the public sector and the economics of it all is second to none. This is like the tell-all that we really need to solve the problems and challenges of policy today and more importantly, tomorrow. Hang on for the ride as Tony takes you on one of the most comprehensive journeys into the heart of change and how AI will confront this challenge that affects us all."
—DOYLE BUEHLER, 'The Strategy Sherpa', author and Transformation expert

"AI is a key enabler of technology and process automatization across industries and the public services are not an exception. However, ensuring the right applicability and adaptability to these changes can be hard and with the increase in usage of AI, the potential for errors and harm will increase. This book will lead you in the way of creating a trustworthy journey to AI when it comes to the public services. I totally recommend it."
—MIGUEL MACHADO, CEO & Co-Founder, The Keenfolks

"This is a unique book written by widely acclaimed author Tony Boobier covering a wide spectrum of industries using Artificial Intelligence and its applications. Building up on the base of Key Facilitators in Data Science, Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence. The range of topics and the related content covered on various Industries in the Public Services area is comprehensive. A truly in-depth study of the multiple applications of AI for the common public with a global perspective. It's a must-read book for anyone who wants to understand how AI and its cutting-edge tools and technologies are applicable to the common public across the world, with a balanced standpoint on the challenges and risks involved."
—PRABAL GOPE, Technology professional, Mumbai, India

"Informative and apt in the current scenario. Readers will surely gain highly from this book."
—SHALINI RAO, Founder, The Innovation Brand