Harnessing AI for societal good: addressing public sector challenges
While often associated with private enterprise, AI's most profound impact may well be in the public sector. A recent report from Microsoft suggests that AI could save the public sector millions of hours of time each week. But how exactly can AI transform the public sector and create this monumental impact?
To answer this question, we'll explore several AI projects that Trilateral Research is currently involved in. These examples demonstrate how AI is being applied to address real challenges in child safeguarding, environmental health, and policy development, offering insights into the practical benefits of AI in our communities.
Breaking down information silos
For decades, the public sector has struggled with managing its data. Legacy systems, bureaucratic red tape, and a lack of interoperability between agencies have created a maze of information silos. The ONS published a report this year that suggests these continue to hinder effective decision-making and slow down critical processes. But AI can provide a solution.
AI excels at processing and integrating vast amounts of data from diverse sources. This capability allows public sector organisations to:
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Create comprehensive views of complex situations quickly and easily.
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Identify patterns and connections that humans might miss.
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Enable faster, more informed decision-making across departments and agencies.
One clear example of this is CESIUM, our groundbreaking child safeguarding AI solution. This tool tackles one of the most persistent challenges in child protection: data sharing. By integrating information from multiple agencies, CESIUM breaks down the walls that have long separated crucial pieces of the safeguarding puzzle.
The benefits of this approach are clear. Social workers, healthcare professionals, and law enforcement can now access a comprehensive view of a child's situation. This holistic perspective enables faster, more informed decisions, ultimately leading to improved outcomes for all involved.
Enhancing decision-making in critical areas
Traditional approaches to risk assessment in the public sector often rely on reactive measures. This is not due to a lack of willingness, but often due to constraints. AI enables a shift from reactive to proactive strategies. By analysing historical data and identifying patterns, AI can:
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Predict potential issues before they escalate.
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Allocate resources more efficiently.
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Support human decision-makers with data-driven insights.
There are many issues that benefits from this, but one that stands out is air pollution. STRIAD:AIR demonstrates AI's ability to predict and mitigate health impacts of air pollution. In Trim, Country Meath, this innovative platform is providing hyperlocal air quality information. By modelling the effects of air pollution on diseases like diabetes and heart disease, STRIAD:AIR is enabling more targeted interventions and policy decisions.
Empowering communities with data-driven insights
One of the most exciting aspects of AI in the public sector is its ability to transform raw data into actionable insights. Too often, valuable information remains hidden within dense reports or obscure databases, its potential untapped. While individuals and communities may contribute significant data, traditional analysis methods often fall short in extracting meaningful patterns and trends.
AI can bridge this gap by:
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Analysing vast quantities of complex data to identify key patterns and correlations.
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Generating predictive models to anticipate future trends and needs.
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Providing real-time analysis for rapid decision-making and response.
The RESTART project exemplifies this power of AI-driven insights in policy-making. By analysing survivor testimonies of modern slavery in real-time, the project generated crucial insights that informed more effective support systems and policy recommendations. This approach ensures that the lived experiences of those most affected directly shape decision-making, leading to more responsive and empathetic public services.
Through such applications, AI not only processes data more efficiently but also uncovers hidden connections and trends that human analysts might overlook. This capability enables policymakers and service providers to make more informed, data-driven decisions that can significantly improve public services and outcomes for communities.
A new era of public service
As we look to the future, it's clear that AI has the potential to transform how we address societal challenges. By breaking down information silos, enhancing decision-making, and empowering communities, AI is ushering in a new era of more effective, responsive public services.
However, it's crucial to remember that AI is a tool, not a panacea. Its development and deployment must be guided by ethical considerations and human oversight. The examples we've explored - from CESIUM to STRIAD:AIR to RESTART - all emphasise the need for Responsible AI solutions.
The future of AI in public service isn't about replacing human judgement, but about providing enhanced insights that support it. By embracing these technologies responsibly, we can work smarter, act faster, and create a brighter future for everyone in our society. The challenge now is for policymakers, technologists, and citizens to come together and harness this potential for the greater good. The tools are at our fingertips; it's time to put them to work.
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Call for AI Adoption case studies:
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Usman Ikhlaq
Usman Ikhlaq
Usman joined techUK in January 2024 as Programme Manager for Artificial Intelligence.
He leads techUK’s AI Adoption programme, supporting members of all sizes and sectors in adopting AI at scale. His work involves identifying barriers to adoption, exploring solutions, and helping to unlock AI’s transformative potential, particularly its benefits for people, the economy, society, and the planet. He is also committed to advancing the UK’s AI sector and ensuring the UK remains a global leader in AI by working closely with techUK members, the UK Government, regulators, and devolved and local authorities.
Since joining techUK, Usman has delivered a regular drumbeat of activity to engage members and advance techUK's AI programme. This has included two campaign weeks, the creation of the AI Adoption Hub (now the AI Hub), the AI Leader's Event Series, the Putting AI into Action webinar series and the Industrial AI sprint campaign.
Before joining techUK, Usman worked as a policy, regulatory and government/public affairs professional in the advertising sector. He has also worked in sales, marketing, and FinTech.
Usman holds an MSc from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), a GDL and LLB from BPP Law School, and a BA from Queen Mary University of London.
When he isn’t working, Usman enjoys spending time with his family and friends. He also has a keen interest in running, reading and travelling.
Sue Daley OBE
Sue Daley OBE
Sue leads techUK's Technology and Innovation work.
This includes work programmes on cloud, data protection, data analytics, AI, digital ethics, Digital Identity and Internet of Things as well as emerging and transformative technologies and innovation policy.
In 2025, Sue was honoured with an Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to the Technology Industry in the New Year Honours List.
She has been recognised as one of the most influential people in UK tech by Computer Weekly's UKtech50 Longlist and in 2021 was inducted into the Computer Weekly Most Influential Women in UK Tech Hall of Fame.
A key influencer in driving forward the data agenda in the UK, Sue was co-chair of the UK government's National Data Strategy Forum until July 2024. As well as being recognised in the UK's Big Data 100 and the Global Top 100 Data Visionaries for 2020 Sue has also been shortlisted for the Milton Keynes Women Leaders Awards and was a judge for the Loebner Prize in AI. In addition to being a regular industry speaker on issues including AI ethics, data protection and cyber security, Sue was recently a judge for the UK Tech 50 and is a regular judge of the annual UK Cloud Awards.
Prior to joining techUK in January 2015 Sue was responsible for Symantec's Government Relations in the UK and Ireland. She has spoken at events including the UK-China Internet Forum in Beijing, UN IGF and European RSA on issues ranging from data usage and privacy, cloud computing and online child safety. Before joining Symantec, Sue was senior policy advisor at the Confederation of British Industry (CBI). Sue has an BA degree on History and American Studies from Leeds University and a Masters Degree on International Relations and Diplomacy from the University of Birmingham. Sue is a keen sportswoman and in 2016 achieved a lifelong ambition to swim the English Channel.
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Tess Buckley
Tess Buckley
A digital ethicist and musician, Tess holds a MA in AI and Philosophy, specialising in ableism in biotechnologies. Their professional journey includes working as an AI Ethics Analyst with a dataset on corporate digital responsibility, followed by supporting the development of a specialised model for sustainability disclosure requests. Currently at techUK as programme manager in digital ethics and AI safety, Tess focuses on demystifying and operationalising ethics through assurance mechanisms and standards. Their primary research interests encompass AI music systems, AI fluency, and technology created by and for differently abled individuals. Their overarching goal is to apply philosophical principles to make emerging technologies both explainable and ethical.
Outside of work Tess enjoys kickboxing, ballet, crochet and jazz music.
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- [email protected]
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- tessbuckley.me
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- https://www.linkedin.com/in/tesssbuckley/
Laura Foster
Laura Foster
Laura is techUK’s Associate Director for Technology and Innovation.
She supports the application and expansion of emerging technologies, including Quantum Computing, High-Performance Computing, AR/VR/XR and Edge technologies, across the UK. As part of this, she works alongside techUK members and UK Government to champion long-term and sustainable innovation policy that will ensure the UK is a pioneer in science and technology
Before joining techUK, Laura worked internationally as a conference researcher and producer covering enterprise adoption of emerging technologies. This included being part of the strategic team at London Tech Week.
Laura has a degree in History (BA Hons) from Durham University, focussing on regional social history. Outside of work she loves reading, travelling and supporting rugby team St. Helens, where she is from.
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- www.linkedin.com/in/lauraalicefoster
Nimmi Patel
Nimmi Patel
Nimmi Patel is the Head of Skills, Talent and Diversity at techUK. She works on all things skills, education, and future of work policy, focusing on upskilling and retraining. Nimmi is also an Advisory Board member of Digital Futures at Work Research Centre (digit). The Centre research aims to increase understanding of how digital technologies are changing work and the implications for employers, workers, job seekers and governments.
Prior to joining the techUK team, she worked for the UK Labour Party and New Zealand Labour Party, and holds an MA in Strategic Communications at King’s College London and BA in Politics, Philosophy and Economics from the University of Manchester. She is currently taking part in the 2024-25 University of Bath Institute for Policy Research Policy Fellowship Programme.
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- @nimmiptl
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- www.techuk.org
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- https://www.linkedin.com/in/nimmi-patel1/
Audre Verseckaite
Audre Verseckaite
Audre joined techUK in July 2023 as a Policy Manager for Data. Previously, she was a Policy Advisor in the Civil Service, where she worked on the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill at the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, and at HM Treasury on designing COVID-19 support schemes and delivering the Financial Services and Markets Bill. Before that, Audre worked at a public relations consultancy, advising public and private sector clients on their communications, public relations, and government affairs strategy.
Prior to this, Audre completed an MSc in Public Policy at the Korea Development Institute and a Bachelor's in International Relations and History from SOAS, University of London. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time outdoors, learning about new cultures through travel and food, and going on adventures.
Edward Emerson
Edward Emerson
Edward leads the Digital Economy programme at techUK, which includes our work on online safety, fraud, and regulation for growth initiatives.
He has prior experience working for the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport and has previously worked for a number of public affairs consultancies specialising in research and strategy, working with leading clients in the technology and financial services sectors.
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- [email protected]
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- https://www.linkedin.com/in/edward-emerson-009189183
Heather Cover-Kus
Heather Cover-Kus
Heather is Head of Central Government Programme at techUK, working to represent the supplier community of tech products and services to Central Government.
Prior to joining techUK in April 2022, Heather worked in the Economic Policy and Small States Section at the Commonwealth Secretariat. She led the organisation’s FinTech programme and worked to create an enabling environment for developing countries to take advantage of the socio-economic benefits of FinTech.
Before moving to the UK, Heather worked at the Office of the Prime Minister of The Bahamas and the Central Bank of The Bahamas.
Heather holds a Graduate Diploma in Law from BPP, a Masters in Public Administration (MPA) from LSE, and a BA in Economics and Sociology from Macalester College.
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- [email protected]
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-cover-kus-ba636538
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