Shaping the future of data in government

At our recent Power of Data event, digital leaders from across the UK came together to explore how data can create innovation, equity, and growth. Beyond the keynote speeches and panel discussions, the event featured a series of roundtables under Chatham House rules, where participants delved into some of the most pressing challenges and opportunities in the world of data. Here, we summarise the key findings from these roundtables, offering actionable insights for transforming how we use data in government and beyond.

Designing data for cross-government use

This roundtable focused on the challenges and opportunities of sharing data across government departments. Participants agreed that while data sharing is essential for breaking down silos, the current state is often ad hoc and inefficient.

• Current state: Data sharing is often limited to sending files between departments, with little standardisation or interoperability.

• Aspirations: The goal is a world of frictionless data exchange, where data flows seamlessly across departments and systems.

• Barriers: Key obstacles include legacy systems, lack of common identifiers, and governance issues. For example, while Unique Property Reference Numbers (UPRNs) are increasingly adopted, linking data across different systems remains a challenge.

• Solutions: Participants emphasised the need for standardised data formats, better governance frameworks, and a focus on interoperability. One suggestion was to create a centralised UK data library, though this would require significant investment and collaboration.

Three-word summary: Challenging, Alignment, Stamina

How to value data and maximise impact

This group explored how to articulate the value of data, both as a financial asset and as a driver of social good.

• Tangible value: Data should be treated as a tangible asset, like a laptop or a building, with clear value to the organisation. However, participants warned against focusing solely on financial metrics, as this risks overlooking the broader societal benefits.

• Cultural shift: Data literacy is crucial. Everyone in an organisation should see data as part of their job, not just the responsibility of analysts or IT teams.

• Use cases: To make the case for data investment, organisations need to tell compelling stories about how data can solve real-world problems. For example, Highways England uses data to improve road safety and efficiency, demonstrating tangible benefits.

• Long-term commitment: Data initiatives require sustained investment and a shift away from short-term project-based thinking.

Three-word summary: Value, Storytelling, Commitment

Beyond efficiency to transformation

This session focused on how data, automation, and AI can create true transformation in public services, rather than just incremental efficiency gains.

• Transformation vs. efficiency: Transformation is about rethinking services from the ground up, not just digitising existing processes. It requires a clear vision and strategy, aligned with user needs.

• Challenges: Siloed organisations, short-term funding cycles, and a lack of shared problems across departments often hinder transformation efforts.

• Opportunities: AI and automation can play a key role, but only if they are used to solve real problems, not just as shiny new tools. Participants emphasised the importance of starting small and scaling up, rather than attempting a “big bang” approach.

• Leadership and collaboration: Strong leadership and cross-departmental collaboration are essential for breaking down silos and driving systemic change.

Three-word summary: Silos, Outcomes, Incentives

Data for AI – what do we need and how do we manage it?

This roundtable addressed the critical question of what kinds of data are needed to drive AI innovation, and how to ensure ethical and effective AI development.

• Foundations first: Before investing in AI, organisations need to get the basics right—data standards, quality, and infrastructure. Without these foundations, AI projects are likely to fail.

• Ethical considerations: Participants stressed the importance of ethical AI development, including transparency, accountability, and robust governance frameworks. GDPR provides a good starting point, but more work is needed to ensure AI is used responsibly.

• Future-proofing: Data collected today may have uses we can’t yet imagine. Organisations need to think long-term and ensure data is collected and stored in a way that allows for future innovation.

Three-word summary: Foundations, Sharing, Benefits

Balancing innovation and accountability

Here, attendees explored how to maintain public trust as government services become increasingly automated and data-driven.

• Transparency is key: To build trust, organisations must be transparent about how data is used and how AI-driven decisions are made. Health services were highlighted as a positive example, where doctors explain AI-driven diagnoses to patients in accessible terms.

• Redress mechanisms: Citizens need clear avenues for challenging AI-driven decisions, particularly in areas like benefits eligibility.

• Guardrails and principles: Rather than categorising data as shareable or unsharable, participants suggested focusing on principles for appropriate use, ensuring data is used ethically and responsibly.

Three-word summary: Transparency, Trust, Redress

Collaboration is key

The Power of Data roundtables highlighted the immense potential of data to drive societal change, but also the challenges that must be overcome. From improving data sharing and governance to building public trust and ensuring ethical AI development, the path forward requires collaboration, long-term thinking, and a commitment to putting people at the heart of data strategies.

As we move forward, the lessons from these discussions will be crucial in shaping a future where data is not just a tool, but a force for good that benefits everyone.

Thank you to all the participants and hosts who contributed to these insightful discussions. For more highlights from the event, visit our YouTube channel and access the State of Data report.