CGPN 2026 Agenda - Why Attend - Data & AI

Government is moving from AI ambition to delivery; but the real challenge is applying technology effectively to complex, real-world problems. The No.10 Innovation Fellowship tackles this by embedding world-class technical talent into priority challenges across Whitehall, accelerating progress and delivering tangible outcomes at pace. In this keynote, Eoin Mulgrew is joined by one of the Fellows to bring this model to life. Blending strategic insight with a live case study, they will share what it takes to move from concept to impact; including what works, what doesn’t, and the barriers that remain. This session offers senior leaders a view from the frontline of transformation, providing a tangible, proven model for delivering AI-enabled change across government.

AI adoption across central government has moved from pilot projects to an operational expectation. But beneath the surface, a harder question is emerging: are we truly transforming services, or simply layering AI onto systems that aren’t fit for purpose? This keynote panel challenges the narrative of progress and asks leaders to confront the gap between ambition and delivery. With growing pressure to demonstrate value under tight fiscal conditions, departments must move beyond proof-of-concept and into measurable, citizen-facing outcomes. This session will examine what is actually working, what is falling behind, and what must change to deliver AI at scale. From data quality and legacy constraints to governance, procurement, and accountability, speakers will explore the ways government is structurally ready for AI, and what it will take to get the rest of the way there.

• How are departments moving from pilots to scalable, outcome-driven AI adoption?
• What governance models enable safe, but agile, AI deployment?
• How can policy, procurement, and delivery functions align to avoid duplication?
• How are legacy systems being addressed to ensure AI tools are effective?

Trust has become the defining measure of success for digital government, but it cannot be designed in, it must be earned through outcomes, transparency, and data integrity. As AI-enabled services and digital identity programmes expand, central government faces growing scrutiny over how citizen data is used, shared, and protected while delivering results that lead to meaningful improvements in citizens’ lives. At the heart of this is data: its quality, its governance, and how confidently it can be used to drive fair, inclusive, and accountable decisions. This discussion will explore how departments can better align service design, data strategy, and delivery to create services that citizens not only use, but trust.

• How is poor data quality undermining citizen experience and confidence? Do citizens understand and trust how their data is used?
• Are digital-enabled transformation efforts delivering measurable improvements in outcomes, particularly for underserved groups?
• How can government use data to drive efficiency while maintaining accessibility, transparency, and public trust?