Martha Lane Fox has been appointed to co-chair a newly established government panel comprised of technology experts tasked with advising on reforms within the public sector.
This panel, which includes 12 leading professionals and academics in technology, has been tasked with guiding the government in enhancing the use of technology across public services.
Baroness Lane-Fox of Soho, known as the co-founder of Lastminute.com, will partner with Paul Willmott, who serves as chairman of the government’s central digital and data office and is also a chief digital adviser at Lego. They will be joined by Poppy Gustafsson, co-founder of the cybersecurity company Darktrace.
The group’s mission involves assisting the government in strategizing improvements to the deployment of technology throughout public services, aiming to alleviate backlogs, enhance service outcomes, and increase accessibility for government services, as stated by the government.
Feryal Clark, minister for AI and digital government, is set to make the announcement regarding the panel during the Tech Summit being held in London.
The summit’s agenda features an interview with Demis Hassabis, co-founder and CEO of Google DeepMind, conducted by Tom Whipple, science editor, focusing on the future landscape of artificial intelligence (AI).
Discussion panels will include Sarah Cardell and Melanie Dawes, leaders of the Competition and Markets Authority and Ofcom, who will explore new regulatory powers over “Big Tech” and their intended applications. Executives from major technology companies, including Meta, will address the societal implications of AI technologies.
Collaborative efforts from the Cabinet Office, No 10, and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology are underway to advance the digital transformation of public services, alongside the development of AI solutions for various applications across governmental agencies.
Clark is anticipated to convey to summit attendees that inefficient technology is a common hurdle in public services, causing delays when emerging tools could effectively reduce waiting times and lessen the load on citizens and taxpayers.
“We will adopt a bold approach in our objectives with this new role, and the external expertise we are integrating will be instrumental in achieving our collective goals to enhance public services and promote sustainable growth that benefits everyone,” she stated.
Lane Fox expressed her enthusiasm, noting, “The UK is poised to provide modern and dependable public services that can benefit citizens while also contributing to economic growth. I look forward to being part of this initiative.”
Gustafsson emphasized the importance of accessibility in public services, asserting, “Accessing public services should be as seamless as booking a taxi or ordering groceries online, and there exists a substantial opportunity for the government to leverage technology for improved citizen engagement.”