Is your data ready?

Leading Conversations in AI

On March 8, 2021, the Deloitte AI Institute launched a monthly series, called “Leading Conversations in AI,” to discuss top-of-mind AI topics with leading experts from startups, enterprises, academia, and research groups. This is a virtual event and open to everyone interested to learn more about AI. The most interesting aspect of this series is that all our speakers will always be women and our humble attempt to highlight women in AI role models.

Throughout the series, our speakers will dive deep into a multitude of dimensions of AI in each session - conversational AI, robotics, ethics, scaling AI, Future of Work, diversity in AI, synthetic data, MLOps, neuromorphic computing, computer vision, data and AI governance, speech recognition and many more.

The sixth installment brings government leaders and AI experts in conversation on the growing role of AI in the public sector and how data and analytics is being managed today.

Panelists included:

• Adita Karkera, Chief Data Officer Executive Advisor and a fellow with the AI Institute for Government at Deloitte

• Dessa Gypalo, Chief Data Officer for the State of Illinois

• Kathryn Darnall Helms, Chief Data Officer for the State of Oregon

• Joy Bonaguro, Statewide Chief Data Officer for the State of California

Adita Karkera navigated through the all-women panel of esteemed government leaders to discuss the growing role of AI in the public sector, focused on what it takes to make your data AI ready.

Adoption of data science and artificial intelligence in the public sector – A perspective

The public sector, given its scale, size and complexity, has traditionally been slower in adopting technology in comparison to the private sector. Data management in the public sector involves governing data from a diversity of areas like health data, transportation, legislation, commissions and boards. AI adoption in the public sector is extremely use case driven, in order to tackle specific issues that need attention. For example, the COVID situation changed the mode of operation of Governments bringing in dramatic adoption of chatbots and digital concierge services. Citizens have greatly benefited from these services adding to their convenience during these difficult times.

However, finding the correct use case where AI can be deployed can be a challenge in the public sector. Typically, AI in the public sector mostly focuses on operations, system monitoring, and threat assessment. It is based on the foundation of robust data and is guided by stringent ethical principles.

This article is part of an ongoing series of interviews with executives. The executives’ participation in this article are solely for educational purposes based on their knowledge of the subject and the views expressed by them are solely their own. This article should not be deemed or construed to be for the purpose of soliciting business for any of the companies mentioned, nor does Deloitte advocate or endorse the services or products provided by these companies.

This publication contains general information only and Deloitte is not, by means of this publication, rendering accounting, business, financial, investment, legal, tax, or other professional advice or services. This publication is not a substitute for such professional advice or services, nor should it be used as a basis for any decision or action that may affect your business. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your business, you should consult a qualified professional advisor.

Deloitte shall not be responsible for any loss sustained by any person who relies on this publication.

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