In an ideal country, institutions financed from the state budget have a significant influence on the growth of prosperity, safety, and health protection for residents. Public sector entities are increasingly reaching for artificial intelligence and advanced analytics to enhance efficiency and deliver better services to citizens. SAS experts convinced that the trend of implementing the latest solutions will accelerate this year while simultaneously calling for health care institutions and public administration to pay particular attention to responsible use of these advanced technologies. But where will the implementation of AI be simplest, and in which sectors will it have the greatest impact on citizens’ lives? SAS experts, a global leader in AI and analytics, shared their thoughts.
1. Forecasts Related to Cybersecurity
“Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly used by cybercriminals to plan attacks and create credible content used in attempts of theft, blackmail, or destroying victims’ reputations. However, this technology will also be a crucial tool for law enforcement in tracking online traffic and verifying digital clues to detect culprits, especially with organized crime groups.” – Ashley Beck, Senior Law Enforcement Consultant, SAS; board member, Scotland Women in Technology
“The development of AI and analytics will continue to influence public sector workers, including security. By 2024, law enforcement will see value in hiring young experts for whom the internet is a natural environment (digital natives), capable of using the latest tools and techniques for effective protection and citizen support.” – Shaun Barry, Global Director of Risk, Fraud and Compliance, SAS
“As ever more sophisticated threats related to abuse appear, governments will adopt analytical strategies and AI that will effectively counter online fraud while improving the quality of citizen service.” – Jeremy Ray, Public Sector Fraud Specialist and Senior Industry Consultant, SAS
“The topic of security is beginning to extend beyond the boundaries of our planet. Space agencies, managing large data sets from radars and sensor networks, will enhance the use of IoT analytics and AI for their analysis, incorporating the latest innovations in synthetic data, digital twins, and edge analytics. This comprehensive approach aims to improve Space Domain Awareness services to increase operational readiness in space.” – Bobby Shkolnikov, Head of IoT Federal and Global Principal in IoT Commercialization, SAS
“The governments are accelerating efforts to launch digital identification programs to ease and increase the security of identity document use in various circumstances – from airport security check points to verification in retail. In 2024, we’ll start seeing more coherence between commercial and governmental digital identifiers. Emphasizing equal access, security and user convenience, digital identifiers will have broader use, acceptance and interoperability over the next two years.” – Carl Hammersburg, Senior Manager, Government and Health Care Risk and Fraud, SAS
2. Forecasts related to Education and Work
“The impact of AI on the job market will start to be felt in the public sector. Administration struggles to attract and retain AI specialists due to their high financial requirements. However, to support regulatory actions, recruiting experts will be essential. Much like businesses, the public sector will increasingly turn to AI and analytics to increase productivity, automate simple tasks, and mitigate the effects of skill shortages. I am convinced that we will also witness a growing demand for “non-technical” specialists in AI discourse. The current direction of technology development requires the involvement of other expert groups to ensure that AI solutions function equitably, ethically, and fairly. We need non-technical domain experts to identify potential risks and problems at the solution development stage.” – Reggie Townsend, Vice President for Data Ethics, SAS
“AI will play a key role in optimizing work performance. Assistance will come in the form of automating routine administrative tasks, analyzing vast amounts of data for better decision making, expanding digital services for citizens, and increasing public safety.” – Kay Meyer, Director, Government Industry Consulting, SAS
3. Forecasts Related to Health Care Systems and Demographic Changes
“Forecasting and modeling are becoming key tools in health care systems, but states need support. Academia is offering help. We will witness an increase in the number of academic staff dealing with AI-based modeling and forecasting on behalf of government institutions. After the COVID-19 pandemic, it has become clear that protecting society will require the use of advanced technology and widespread cooperation.” – Meghan Schaeffer, National Public Health Advisor and Epidemiologist, SAS
“Organizations will continue to develop tools based on generative AI for personalizing offers to improve patients’ health and employee satisfaction. Examples include creating patient-specific avatars for use in clinical trials and generating individualized treatment plans.” – Steve Kearney, Global Medical Director, SAS
“Large language models will be used to generate clear and concise summaries of complex medical information, helping patients understand their diagnoses and treatment plans.” – Greg Wujek, global natural sciences industry consultant, SAS
“According to World Health Organization by 2030, every sixth person in the world will be over 60 years old. 2024 will bring the use of generative AI to promote healthy aging and reduce concerns related to staff deficit. Examples may include remote monitoring and increased use of smart technologies to ensure regulatory compliance, risk management, and improved quality of life.” – John Maynard, Chief Solutions Architect, Healthcare and Administration, SAS
4. Predictions Related to Responsible Innovation and Trustworthy AI
“We will witness increasingly sophisticated ways of measuring AI performance and monitoring the achievement of responsible AI objectives. Public sector organizations will use features like model cards, which primarily serve to determine whether the system has achieved satisfactory results.” – Reggie Townsend, Vice President for Data Ethics, SAS
“Governmental organizations will increase the use of large language models to analyze massive sets of unstructured data. This will be accompanied by greater use of trustworthy AI and analytics to assist in developing and customizing their applications.” – Tom Sabo, Solutions Architect, Cognitive/Computer Scientist, SAS
“The rapid development and application of AI in an increasing number of social and commercial areas presents both significant opportunities and threats. In 2024, we will see the emergence of international coalitions and industry cooperation to establish and enforce rules for the development and implementation of AI. The goal is to ensure the safe use of new technologies.” – Caroline Barnett, Chief Consulting Officer – Defense and Intelligence Industry, SAS
