Government has talked about building digital capability for years, yet many departments remain heavily reliant on contractors. As transformation accelerates, is government building sustainable capability or outsourcing its future? Skills gaps persist, while digital and AI literacy remain uneven. As AI reshapes roles, what capabilities does government genuinely need to own, and how do we develop them across the workforce? This panel explores how government can move from short-term resourcing and one-off training towards sustainable capability, developing existing talent, evolving roles and aligning workforce strategy with transformation goals.

• Where should departments prioritise investment to build high-impact, in-house data and digital capability?
• How can government reduce reliance on contractors without slowing delivery?
• How do we scale meaningful digital literacy across the civil service?
• How can leaders evolve culture, career pathways, and incentives to retain talent?