Government organizations increasingly leverage emerging technologies to protect and maintain infrastructure, create personalized interactions and automate tasks — so Deloitte projected the important trends relevant to the public sector this year.
Finding new tech capabilities is one challenge, but finding ways to integrate them operationally is a next-level hurdle government agencies currently face, according to Deloitte. Its “Government Tech Trends 2019” report identifies real-world public sector examples of these new capabilities and assigns a value to each trend based on its relevance and readiness of government adoption from 1 (low) to 5 (high). These values indicate how impactful the trend would be if adopted by government, and how ready the government is to adopt it.
- Macro technology forces: Cloud, analytics, digital experience, blockchain, cognitive, digital reality, core modernization, cyber and the business of technology all have the backbone of innovation. They are critical to organizations and can be transformational when used together. Artificial intelligence can streamline claims processing, blockchain can secure supply chains and drones can perform inspections. (Readiness: 1.5; Relevance: 3.5)
- AI-fueled organizations: Organizations use AI for data-driven decision-making and generating insights. Agencies find that AI can help curb fraud, waste and abuse by detecting improper disbursements. AI can also free up workers to focus on more complex cases. (Readiness: 2.5; Relevance: 4.5)
- No Operations (NoOps) in a serverless world: Cloud providers are automating traditional infrastructure and security management tasks while increasing “as a service” capabilities. As technical resources interact less with system infrastructure, operational talent can move to agile teams and focus on higher-value activities. Pay-as-you-go models provide flexibility and cost-efficiency for processes like tax filings or health care enrollment, and government agencies are piloting container-based cloud computing models and storage “as a service.” (Readiness: .5; Relevance: 3.5)
- Connectivity of tomorrow: Advanced networks and the increase of connectivity make way for new products and services, like edge computing, 5G, low-Earth orbit satellites and ultrabroadband. Organizations sectorwide are looking at advanced connectivity options to design future enterprise networks, bringing the same network capabilities from the office to the field. (Readiness: 1.5; Relevance: 2.5)
- Intelligent interfaces: These combine the latest in human-centered design with leading-edge technologies like computer vision, conversational voice, auditory analytics, and advanced augmented reality and virtual reality. Caseworkers can use VR to train with simulated situations, and technicians can use it to learn to repair machines virtually. (Readiness: 1.5; Relevance: 2.5)
- Reimagining the marketing experience: Consumers expect highly personalized experiences, so chief marketing officers are looking at a new generation of data-enabled marketing tools and techniques. Public-facing service agencies can adjust citizen experiences from “high-touch” human contact to “low-touch” automation. Service programs can use advanced marketing techniques to engage the population, track user feedback and use, and adjust. (Readiness: .5; Relevance: 1.5)
- DevSecOps: This approach transforms cyber and risk management from compliance-based into a “security as a code” mindset, baking security in at the beginning to shape system design from the ground up. Organizations are implementing DevSecOps practices by embedding security, privacy, policy and controls into their advanced IT delivery models. (Readiness: 1.5; Relevance: 4.5)
- Beyond the digital frontier: It’s not enough to rely on a specific technology advance – agencies should develop a systematic approach for identifying and leveraging opportunities at the intersection of technology, science and business. This helps make digital transformational concrete, achievable and measurable. Public agencies and the public sector can learn from each other; health care insurers’ AI-enabled verification of eligibility for medical procedures can be used by government health providers, and companies are using AI to screen recruits. (Readiness: .5; Relevance: 3.5)
To review the full report, visit Deloitte’s website.