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?