Public Sector Podcast

Hosted by Public Sector Network

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Episodes

100

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Jun 2026

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About the show

The Public Sector Podcast features live talks, exclusive interviews and roundtables with public sector thought leaders from around the world. This podcast is presented by Public Sector Network, a social enterprise designed to help governments network, benchmark and establish best practice on a global scale through events, online networks and content created for public servants seeking knowledge and fresh insights.

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60 recent

June 16, 2026Episode 18439 min

EY global research: The intelligence layer - how agentic AI can connect the infrastructure industry - Steve Lewis - Episode 184

In this week's episode, Steve Lewis (EY Global Infrastructure Technology Leader and Head of Infrastructure Advisory, Hong Kong) unpacks why decades of digital investment still haven't closed the productivity gap in infrastructure delivery—and why agentic AI could change the equation by surfacing better insight earlier, improving decision-making, and helping teams manage risk and complexity with more confidence. Steve's core message is practical: don't "digitise everything" for the sake of it. Start by getting clear on your outcomes, ROI, and the specific pain points worth transforming—then measure success properly, involve the people doing the work, and communicate change in a way that resonates. The takeaway: focus on transforming the right things, not adding another layer to the digitisation bandwagon. Download EY's new global research report, "The intelligence layer - how agentic AI can connect the infrastructure industry," at https://www.ey.com/en_gl/insights/infrastructure/how-agentic-ai-can-create-an-intelligence-layer-for-infrastructure Steve Lewis, EY Global Infrastructure Technology Leader and Head of Infrastructure Advisory, Hong Kong For more great insights head to www.PublicSectorNetwork.co

June 7, 2026Episode 18315 min

Trust That Outlives Technology: Protecting Public Data in the Quantum Era - Sandeep Taileng - Episode 183

This week, Sandeep Taileng, Co Chair - National Committee For Information Access & Protection Requirements and Information Security Leader, State Trustees (Victoria) explores why quantum readiness is no longer a future problem, but a responsibility we need to act on today. Sandeep discusses the growing risk of "harvest now, decrypt later" attacks, and why organisations must start making technology decisions now that will protect sensitive data not just today, but decades into the future. The conversation also looks at the idea of a fiduciary duty to protect data — moving beyond checkbox compliance toward long-term risk management. By building resilience, automation and crypto-agility into today's systems, organisations can adapt to post-quantum cryptography and ensure the information they safeguard today remains secure tomorrow. Sandeep Taileng, Co Chair - National Committee For Information Access & Protection Requirements and Information Security Leader, State Trustees (Victoria) For more great insights head to www.PublicSectorNetwork.co

May 31, 2026Episode 18217 min

Enabling Seamless Mobility Through Digital Government: Transporting Services into the Future - Erika-Kirsten Easton - Episode 182

Mobility is becoming a digital service challenge, not just a transport one. As expectations rise, agencies need connected, secure, user-friendly experiences that make it easier for people and industry to interact with government. In this week's episode, Erika-Kirsten Easton, Chief Data Officer and Director General, Enterprise Service, Data and Architecture, Transport Canada shares how they are modernising service delivery, using data and AI to improve decisions, and connecting systems across teams and jurisdictions. The session offers practical ideas for safer, more accessible services that keep pace with changing needs. Erika-Kirsten Easton, Chief Data Officer and Director General, Enterprise Service, Data and Architecture, Transport Canada For more great insights head to www.PublicSectorNetwork.co

May 24, 2026Episode 18118 min

Securing Innovation Without Stalling It - Ian Pham - Episode 181

How do you move fast in the public sector without compromising security or compliance? In this episode, Ian Pham, Chief Information Security Officer, Victorian Managed Insurance Authority explores how organisations can embed cyber risk thinking into digital services and emerging tech from day one — enabling innovation that's both bold and secure. Ian also discuss why the real transformation happens when delivery, risk, and security teams start speaking the same language, working together to remove friction and make safer innovation possible. Ian Pham, Chief Information Security Officer, Victorian Managed Insurance Authority For more great insights head to www.PublicSectorNetwork.co

May 18, 2026Episode 18014 min

Confident AI Adoption in the Public Sector - Sam Jones - Episode 180

This week, Sam Jones, Executive Director Corporate Services, Office of Public Prosecutions Victoria explores the rise of the "cybernetic colleague": using AI to expand organisational capacity and take repetitive work off people's plates, so teams can focus on more strategic, human, and high-value tasks. It looks at what this shift means in practice, and how leaders can set teams up to adopt AI confidently rather than resist it. The conversation also focuses on what responsible implementation requires, especially in legal and justice settings: clear AI governance, guardrails, and ethical boundaries. It unpacks how to capture efficiency gains while still applying the right level of human judgement, accountability, and oversight where decisions carry real-world consequences. Sam Jones, Executive Director Corporate Services, Office of Public Prosecutions Victoria For more great insights head to www.PublicSectorNetwork.co

May 10, 2026Episode 17922 min

Beyond the Firewall: The Human Element in Cybersecurity - Corina Hernandez-Muñoz - Episode 179

In this episode, Corina Hernandez-Muñoz, Head, Cyber Behaviour and Culture | Enterprise Information Security (EIS), Export Development Canada explores why effective cybersecurity depends just as much on people as it does on technology. As digital threats become more complex, organisations are recognising that strong systems alone aren't enough — building awareness, shared responsibility and a culture of vigilance across the workforce is essential. This conversation looks at how federal agencies are strengthening their human layer of defence by investing in skills, knowledge and collaboration. You'll hear how leaders are reshaping cybersecurity as a collective effort that blends technology with trust, empowerment and informed decision-making. From leadership engagement to frontline readiness, the episode highlights practical approaches to building cyber-aware teams, improving threat response capabilities and balancing human judgment with AI-driven tools to create a smarter, more resilient defence. Corina Hernandez-Muñoz, Head, Cyber Behaviour and Culture | Enterprise Information Security (EIS), Export Development Canada For more great insights head to www.PublicSectorNetwork.co

May 3, 2026Episode 17516 min

Strengthening Cyber Resilience in Tennessee: What's Next for 2026 - Aimé Nsengiyumva - Episode 178

In this episode, Aimé Nsengiyumva, Deputy-Chief Information Security Officer, Department of Finance and Administration, State of Tennessee shares how the state is strengthening its cybersecurity posture as threats become more complex. The keynote reflects on recent progress and explains how Tennessee is aligning with growing federal momentum to better protect both state and local government systems.The session highlights key milestones, outlines Tennessee's priorities for cyber resilience heading into 2026, and unpacks how the state is balancing governance, technology choices, and workforce readiness. It also offers practical takeaways for agencies looking to modernise their own cyber programs, including lessons from supporting local government through federally funded initiatives. Aimé Nsengiyumva, Deputy-Chief Information Security Officer, Department of Finance and Administration, State of Tennessee For more great insights head to www.PublicSectorNetwork.co

April 26, 202617 min

Extending Governance Reach. Elevating Quality. Powered by AI - Cassandra Bisset - Episode 177

This week's episode brought to you by Objective, features Cassandra Bisset, VP Strategy, Objective who looks back at the Innovation Showcase in Victoria, Australia. Cassie explains how quickly AI has shifted from "emerging" to urgent, with public sector teams under pressure to adopt while managing trust, risk, and tight budgets. The key message is "readiness over hype". With many AI projects failing, Cassandra argues success depends on clear "what good looks like" pathways and strong foundations, especially trusted information, governance, and the "dull" work that makes AI safe and scalable. Visit www.objective.com.au to learn more about how Objective is helping public sector organisations take control of their information; strengthen governance, reduce risk, and enable better decisions. For more great insights head to www.PublicSectorNetwork.com

April 19, 2026Episode 17620 min

Making AI Work in Government: The System Behind the Scale - Dan Roelink - Episode 176

This week, Dan Roelink, Director, Office for AI, Digital.NSW, NSW Department of Customer Service explores why the biggest barrier to AI in government is no longer understanding the technology, but removing the organisational and system "friction" that prevents safe, lawful, and scalable adoption. From an inside-government perspective, Dan looks at what it takes to move beyond pilots and experiments by putting the right foundations, governance, and operating models in place. It covers how governments can modernise risk and assurance, build the core components needed to scale (from policy and frameworks to capability and platforms), and strengthen the partnerships and problem-led collaboration required to take AI from idea to production. The episode also considers what "mature" AI-enabled public sector systems could look like in the future, and what effective cross-sector partnerships will need to deliver in a low-friction environment. Dan Roelink, Director, Office for AI, Digital.NSW, NSW Department of Customer Service For more great insights head to www.PublicSectorNetwork.co Check out EY's AI Pioneers series and subscribe for future episodes on your podcast platform of choice.

April 12, 2026Episode 17513 min

Scaling Ethical AI in Higher Education and Public Systems - Dr Robbie Melton - Episode 175

This week Dr Robbie Melton, Vice President SMART AI Technology Innovations, Tennessee State University explores how AI is changing both education and government, and what it takes for institutions to move beyond experimentation into responsible, practical adoption. The conversation focuses on embedding intelligent tools across curriculum, student services, and institutional strategy in ways that improve efficiency while advancing equity, and on connecting higher education innovation to wider statewide goals. You will hear concrete approaches to modernising learning with immersive technologies such as wearables, holograms, and mixed reality, while aligning institutional plans with AI governance and ethics frameworks. The episode also covers using AI to improve advising and administration, building faculty capability through scalable training and curriculum pilots, and turning academic centres into real-world testbeds that bridge research and public impact through cross-sector partnerships. Dr Robbie Melton, Vice President SMART AI Technology Innovations, Tennessee State University For more great insights head to www.PublicSectorNetwork.co