Doug Keefe

Public Spark

Public Spark shares ideas and inspiration for public servants ready to embrace technology and innovation. Each episode, we dive into making sense of how public sector can modernize services and better serve citizens. From automation to AI, open data to chatbots, our hosts share breakdowns on big subjects, real-world stories and lessons learned from driving digital change in the public sector. We cover the challenges, opportunities, and best practices for transforming government through technology. Whether you're an IT leader, policy advisor, or just curious about the future of digital governme...

Author

Doug Keefe

Category

Government

Podcast website

podhostapp.com

Latest episode

Aug 13, 2025

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Episodes

Digital Transformation in Canada: Reimagining Government 13.08.2025

Source: https://publicsectornetwork.com/insight/the-case-for-real-change-reimagining-digital-government-in-a-canada-strong-era In this thought-provoking episode, we explore Canada's unique opportunity for digital government transformation under Prime Minister Mark Carney's leadership. Join us as we unpack the dual challenge of reimagining citizen-facing services while modernizing internal governme...

"Blockchain Nation: How Vietnam's NDAChain Is Revolutionizing Digital Identity and Government Records" 06.08.2025

Source: https://bravenewcoin.com/insights/vietnam-launches-national-blockchain-platform-to-secure-digital-identity-and-government-records In this episode, we dive into Vietnam's groundbreaking NDAChain platform, a national blockchain initiative designed to secure digital identities and government records across the country. We explore how this hybrid public-private blockchain system processes up t...

Data as the Fourth Factor: Why Public Administration Must Catch Up in the Digital Age 05.08.2025

Source: https://policyoptions.irpp.org/magazines/april-2022/taking-data-seriously-a-call-to-public-administrators/ In this eye-opening episode, we explore the growing "data divide" between public administration and the private sector. Once at the forefront of data collection and usage, governments now lag behind tech giants who have made data the fourth factor of production alongside land, labor,...

AI in Government: Why Procurement Reform is the Key to Accountability 04.08.2025

Source: https://www.techpolicy.press/want-accountable-ai-in-government-start-with-procurement/ In this episode, we explore why procurement practices are the hidden key to ensuring responsible AI in government. Through research spanning multiple US cities, we reveal how most AI systems bypass traditional oversight due to loopholes in purchasing processes, and discuss practical reforms that could st...

AI in Government: the Future of Regulatory Reform? 21.07.2025

Source: https://www.aei.org/technology-and-innovation/government-in-the-age-of-ai/ In this episode, we explore Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin's groundbreaking initiative using AI to streamline state regulations, and examine how artificial intelligence is transforming government operations across regulatory reform, rulemaking, oversight, and administrative decision-making. Join us as we discuss b...

From Projects to Products: Transforming How Government Delivers Digital Services 17.07.2025

Source: https://www.niskanencenter.org/the-product-operating-model-how-government-should-deliver-digital-services/ In this episode, we explore how the federal government can revolutionize its digital services by adopting a "product operating model" instead of the traditional project-based approach. We examine why so many government technology initiatives fail, and how persistent, cross-functional...

Generative AI's Impact on Work 17.07.2025

Source: https://download.ssrn.com/2025/4/30/5007084.pdf?response-content-disposition=inline&X-Amz-Security-Token=IQoJb3JpZ2luX2VjEMr%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2FwEaCXVzLWVhc3QtMSJHMEUCIBCN3uwZtJvMU0cn0FwanKfI9fpLjhhSvwhnvvRcHTF7AiEAo1BP4619immBkyBl1N06veXkkz3MmIJxtrVHThi7RaoqxQUI0%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2FARAEGgwzMDg0NzUzMDEyNTciDMDKImvUDOsG3u%2Fa1SqZBT0tVStine0zj1lNVHtAIIziMNML3yK2qKG7tw6...

Securing Tomorrow: Canada's Quantum-Safe Cryptography Roadmap 14.07.2025

Source: https://www.cyber.gc.ca/en/guidance/roadmap-migration-post-quantum-cryptography-government-canada-itsm40001 Join us as we explore the Government of Canada's comprehensive roadmap for migrating to post-quantum cryptography, a critical initiative to protect sensitive information against future quantum computing threats. We'll break down the three-phase implementation strategy—preparation, id...

Making Sense of CSE's Annual Report 11.07.2025

Source: https://www.cse-cst.gc.ca/en/accountability/transparency/reports/communications-security-establishment-canada-annual-report-2024-2025 Dive into the world of national security with this episode exploring the Communications Security Establishment Canada's 2024-2025 Annual Report. We examine CSE's critical role in safeguarding Canada's cybersecurity, its efforts to counter foreign interferenc...

Breaking Through the Deep Status Quo: Innovation in Canada's Public Service 11.07.2025

Source: https://www.policyready.ca/policymaking-today/2025/6/16/113ei3zm1z9xp5wmiuswb1bqbdfldd-95pp8 In this eye-opening episode, we explore the challenges of policy innovation within Canada's public service with experts Sharon Ayele and Jonathan Craft. They share key insights from high-level discussions with senior policy leaders about battling the "deep status quo" - examining how Westminster go...

Impacts on Cognitive Offloading and the Future of Critical Thinking 08.07.2025

Source: https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4698/15/1/6 In this thought-provoking episode, we explore the double-edged sword of artificial intelligence tools in society, examining how our increasing reliance on AI affects our critical thinking abilities through cognitive offloading. Drawing from comprehensive research involving 666 participants, we investigate the concerning correlation between higher AI us...

Reimagining Public Service: How AI is Transforming Government Productivity 07.07.2025

Source: https://www.hks.harvard.edu/faculty-research/policy-topics/cities-communities/how-ai-can-affect-productivity-public-service Join us as we explore the transformative potential of artificial intelligence in public service delivery with insights from Harvard Kennedy School research. Stephen Goldsmith and Juncheng Yang reveal how a balanced human-AI partnership can create more efficient, respo...

Beyond Red Tape: Reimagining Government Bureaucracy for the People 04.07.2025

Source: https://www.hks.harvard.edu/faculty-research/policy-topics/public-leadership-management/how-governments-can-move-beyond In this episode, Harvard expert Jorrit de Jong explains why bureaucracy exists, what causes it to fail citizens, and how governments can transform to better serve people. From analyzing different layers of dysfunction to applying innovative solutions like user-centered de...

Strengthening the State: Canada's Capacity Crisis and How to Fix It 03.07.2025

Source: https://ppforum.ca/publications/canada-state-capacity-problem/ In this episode, we explore Canada's "state capacity problem" and how the COVID-19 pandemic exposed critical weaknesses in governmental effectiveness despite overall strong performance. Join us as we examine what state capacity means beyond political divides, analyze Canada's current position compared to global leaders, and dis...

Increasing Government Efficiency 10x 18.06.2025

Source: https://www2.deloitte.com/us/en/insights/industry/public-sector/government-trends/2024/increasing-government-efficiency-10x.html Discover how government agencies are revolutionizing public service delivery by accelerating their operations up to 10 times faster without sacrificing accountability or fairness. From rapidly responding to wildfires with AI to streamlining permitting processes f...

"AI Agents: Revolutionizing Public Sector HR and Finance in the Age of Digital Government" 17.06.2025

Source: https://govinsider.asia/intl-en/article/ai-agents-set-to-transform-hr-and-financial-operations-for-public-sector Join us as we explore how AI agents are revolutionizing HR and financial operations in the public sector. We'll discuss how these intelligent tools are streamlining government processes—from automating job descriptions to enhancing policy compliance—and examine global trends in...

Digital Transformation Roadblocks: Why Businesses Struggle to Turn Tech into Value 16.06.2025

Source: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/adv/article-new-study-highlights-why-digital-transformation-is-still-a-work-in/ In this episode, we dive into Broadridge's latest Digital Transformation study revealing why many businesses struggle to turn their tech investments into real value. We explore three key challenges: the optimistic yet constrained adoption of AI, the critical need for sea...

Charting Canada's Path to Digital Independence 13.06.2025

Source: https://policyoptions.irpp.org/magazines/may-2025/digital-sovereignty-canada/ Explore Canada's critical path to digital sovereignty in a world increasingly dominated by American tech giants. This episode examines how the shifting relationship with the United States under Trump's administration has transformed digital dependence from an economic advantage to a national security threat, and...

Canada's AI Crossroads: Between Innovation and Public Skepticism 12.06.2025

Source: https://www.ipolitics.ca/2025/05/30/the-ai-revolution-adapting-to-the-emerging-policy-challenges/ In this episode, we explore Canada's approach to AI governance under Prime Minister Mark Carney and newly appointed AI Minister Evan Solomon, contrasting it with American strategies and examining the tension between technological advancement and social disruption. We delve into compelling rese...

"Solomon's Choice: Canada's AI Crossroads Between European Regulation and American Innovation" 11.06.2025

Source: https://www.michaelgeist.ca/2025/05/solomons-choice-the-future-of-ai-in-canada/ In this thought-provoking episode, we examine Canada's AI policy crossroads as the new Carney government appoints Evan Solomon as Minister for Artificial Intelligence. We explore the challenges Solomon faces, including the dilemma of choosing between European-style regulation or American innovation-focused appr...

"Respecting the Creator: How Researchers Are Solving AI's Copyright Dilemma" 10.06.2025

Source: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/ai-firms-say-they-can-t-respect-copyright-these-researchers-tried/ar-AA1G96Ji In this eye-opening episode, we investigate how AI companies claim they cannot effectively filter copyrighted material while researchers have successfully demonstrated otherwise. We explore groundbreaking methods that challenge the tech industry's stance on copyright prot...

AI in UK: How Microsoft's Copilot Saved Civil Servants 26 Minutes Per Day 09.06.2025

Source: https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-statements/detail/2025-06-02/hcws669 Discover the groundbreaking results of the UK government's Microsoft 365 Copilot experiment, where 20,000 civil servants tested AI tools across 12 departments with remarkable outcomes. Learn how this pioneering initiative saved workers an average of 26 minutes daily, achieved an 83% adoption rate, and w...

Safe AI Deployment: Building Effective Risk Management Plans with Microsoft's Deputy CISO 04.06.2025

Source:https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/security/blog/2025/05/29/how-to-deploy-ai-safely/ In this episode, Microsoft's Deputy CISO for AI Yonatan Zunger shares practical principles for safely deploying artificial intelligence in organizations. Learn essential strategies for understanding potential risks, creating comprehensive safety plans that consider both technical and human factors, and why AI...

Japan's AI Revolution: Unpacking the Landmark Bill Poised to Transform the Nation's Tech Landscape 03.06.2025

Source:https://connectontech.bakermckenzie.com/japans-ai-bill-advances-toward-enactment/#:~:text=The%20Japan%20AI%20Bill%20is,in%20AI%20investment%20and%20adoption. Join us as we unpack Japan's groundbreaking AI legislation that's reshaping the country's tech landscape. We'll explore how this new bill balances innovation with ethical considerations, examine why Japan is taking a notably different...

Software 2.0: The Neural Network Revolution Reshaping How We Code 02.06.2025

Source:https://karpathy.medium.com/software-2-0-a64152b37c35 In this thought-provoking episode, AI researcher Andrej Karpathy introduces his groundbreaking concept of "Software 2.0" - a fundamental paradigm shift where traditional programming is being replaced by neural networks that write their own code through optimization rather than explicit human instructions. Karpathy explores how this trans...

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