Building smarter public services: How integrated data powers AI-driven innovation

We’ve all read the stories about Generative AI (GenAI) and what it can do. While the technology probably won’t be taking over our jobs just yet, it does have huge potential for public sector organisations. Some are already using AI solutions to boost service delivery, improve decision-making, and reduce the repetitive manual tasks that take up so much valuable time and energy.  

This includes:  

Analytics: Employ AI to model the potential impact of a new policy or regulation, or analyse weather patterns and optimise disaster planning.  

Security: Leverage AI to automate network security checks and incident investigation. 

HR: Use AI to check job listings for bias and automate onboarding for new staff members.  

Customer service: Triage and direct incoming queries with AI or use chat-bots or automated email replies to accelerate resolution times.  

Software development: Many dev teams already use AI to review code for errors or weaknesses for quicker, more accurate development.  

Workflow optimisation: AI can help connect processes and minimise manual tasks across your organisation – for example, by automating leave requests and approvals.   

Of course, this is just a taster. There are many applications for AI in the public service – from drafting emails and transcribing interviews and meetings to detecting potential fraud in emails or invoices. You don’t have to hand over the reins, either – many organisations start by using AI in small, non-public-facing functions before rolling it out to the wider staff.   

Integrated data is critical to unlocking the power of AI. Why? AI runs on high-quality data. It can’t direct customer queries, analyse incident patterns, or review code without access to your organisational data. This is where disconnected legacy systems can act as roadblocks to progress. If data is siloed in different databases across your organisation, it won’t be easy to make those connections. Teams using different software systems to manage their processes will find it hard to share information or link workflows. In short, data integration is a key first step in your AI journey.  

Depending on your existing systems, an integration project might involve consolidating data from multiple systems or migrating to a fully integrated service platform to manage the bulk of your core organisational functions. Whatever the pathway, the goal is to give you an accessible source of clean, real-time organisational data. This will underpin all your public services and drive the AI innovation you choose to pursue.  

Free, open-source AI tools can expose your data to risk, so it’s important to consult with experts before you give AI a go. Paid services or anonymised data could be better options.  

For many public service organisations, the combination of integrated data and AI innovation is the antidote to disconnected, dysfunctional legacy systems. They’re leveraging new, streamlined systems to improve service delivery and citizen satisfaction, make better decisions on resource allocation and policy change, and save time and money by reducing manual tasks.  

Ready to transform your organisation with data-powered AI? Fusion5 can help – we’re integration, automation and AI experts with decades of experience in the business solutions space.