National Public Service Innovation Week 2022 kicked off with the Public Service Innovation Conference on Monday, 24th October in Cork City Hall.
With the theme ‘Championing Innovation and Transformation in the Public Service’, the conference served as an opportunity to celebrate and showcase innovation in the Public Service, share learnings and best practice, and identify opportunities to collaborate and work together to solve pressing public sector challenges.
In 2022, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform partnered with Microsoft Ireland in hosting the conference.
Take a look back at the different sessions below.
Potential of Innovation and User-Centred Services
The Emergence of Technology and Future of AI in the Public Service
Lena Lundgreen has worked for over 2 decades in the technology industry, with a specific focus on using technology to improve people’s lives and society. She is passionate about accelerating impact with governments to support citizens and the digital transformation of countries around the world. This keynote focuses on the impact of technology on the public service, providing international examples and best practice on how technology can play a vital role in solving some of the hardest challenges we have in the world including sustainability, skills and poverty.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has the potential to significantly transform how we provide public services. The panel featuring Dr Patricia Scanlan (AI Ambassador to the Government of Ireland), John Barron (CIO, Revenue Commissioners) and Pádraig Dalton (Director General, Central Statistics Office) provide learnings on the practical implementation of AI in their organisations.
The Climate Emergency: The path forward for the public service
The effects are clear, climate change is impacting the world we live in. In this session, Mark Griffin (Secretary General, Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications), Rachael Singleton (NI Innovation Lab) and Maurice Buckley (Chairman, Office of Public Works) share their perspectives on the climate emergency and how the Irish public sector can use innovation to respond and meet the targets set by the Climate Action Plan to deliver lasting and impactful change.
Unlocking innovation in the Public Service – A Leadership Perspective
Leaders play a critical role to play in embedding innovation within their organisation and among their people. Joined by Major General Adrian Ó Murchú (Irish Defence Forces), Deputy Commissioner Anne Marie McMahon (An Garda Síochána), and Colm Henry (HSE), Frank O’Donnell explores the different initiatives and examples that leaders have deployed within their organisations to create the conditions for innovation, change and transformation.
Marianne Cassidy delivers closing address
Marianne Cassidy, Assistant Secretary General, Public Service Transformation Division, Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, reflects on the conference and outlines how we can best harness innovation in the Public Sector.