Last week’s Dolenni Digidol event, “Demystifying AI for Public Service Leaders,” exceeded all expectations and left me inspired about the future of digital transformation in Wales. As the Communications Manager at CDPS and the person behind our events strategy, I had the privilege of witnessing firsthand how our community of public service leaders is rallying around the promise of AI to enhance the delivery of critical services.
Our event objectives were clear from the start: to increase public sector understanding of AI; to encourage ethical and responsible AI adoption, aligned with the Well-being of Future Generations Act; and to foster collaboration and knowledge sharing. Reflecting on the event I’m proud of the progress we made in each of these areas, though I’m also eager to hear feedback from our colleagues on how well we met these goals.
One of the standout moments for me was the genuine spirit of collaboration in the room. In her opening remarks, our CEO and chair, Harriet Green, set the tone by reminding us that “we need to come together as a community - sharing ideas, experiences, and challenges - to truly unlock the potential of AI in the public sector.” It was a refreshing reminder that, in today’s environment, organisations are no longer racing against each other to be the first to adopt new technology. Instead, there is a strong drive to work collaboratively for the collective good.
I was particularly struck by Gareth Jones, Chief Digital Officer at Carmarthenshire Council. With a calm and candid delivery, Gareth noted that there’s “no competitiveness across local authorities anymore” and that the focus has shifted towards sharing knowledge and joint innovation. His remarks resonated deeply with many in the room. As he put it, “There’s a real desire for collaboration - rather than just beating the other to market, we’re looking to build solutions together that benefit everyone.” His approach reflects a commitment not only to technological advancement but also to ensuring that digital innovation remains user-centred and sustainable.
Chris Owen from Neath Port Talbot Council further enriched the discussion by sharing the success story of their AI tool, “Magic Notes.” Chris explained how the tool automates the process of writing case notes for social workers, saving them over eight hours per week. “It’s not about replacing jobs; it’s about enhancing capacity and enabling our frontline staff to focus on what really matters - supporting individuals and families,” he said. His insights highlighted one of the critical challenges our public services face: the need to do more with less. As he openly mentioned “Right now, we're operating on a shoestring - we clearly see the potential and opportunities, but our budgets are under extreme pressure. While we can carve out innovative use cases and demonstrate cost savings, progress will be slow without more substantial investment. National-level support could really help expedite these efforts."
Then there was Dr. Jose Norambuena-Contreras, whose presentation on AI-powered self-healing asphalt truly transformed my perspective on infrastructure. Now, I’m not usually one to get excited about roads or even potholes, but Jose’s presentation did something remarkable. Using a combination of plant spores and recycled cooking oil, his team is developing a material that can seal its own cracks - potentially extending road lifespans by up to 30%. In his own words, “Potholes aren’t just a Wales problem - they’re an international challenge that demands innovative solutions.” It was hard not to be fascinated by the idea that something as mundane as a pothole could become a symbol of sustainable, forward-thinking infrastructure innovation. As Jose humorously put it, “If we don’t get this funding sorted, then God help us,” which perfectly captured both the urgency and potential of the technology.
Adding balance to the evening was Smera Jayadeva from the Turing Institute, who brought us back to the ethical and practical realities of AI. Smera reminded us that while the speed and enthusiasm for AI innovation are exciting, we must always consider the future generations and the ethical implications of our decisions. Her thoughtful reflections, echoing our commitment to the Well-being of Future Generations Act, stressed that “digital innovation in public services must always be ethical, sustainable, and centred on the user.”
Of course, none of this would have been possible without our incredible community. We had over 60 public service leaders from organisations such as DVLA, Transport for Wales, Sport Wales, Swansea Bay City Deal, Natural Resources Wales, Public Health Wales, Welsh Government, Perago and many more - all coming together to share ideas, experiences, and visions for the future. It’s this diversity of voices and perspectives that truly makes transformational change possible.
As I look back on the event, I’m proud to say that we made significant strides toward our objectives. We increased understanding of how AI can be used to solve real-world problems - from improving social care efficiency to revolutionising infrastructure maintenance - and we sparked discussions on ethical AI adoption that may help shape our public sector policies for years to come. Moreover, the collaborative atmosphere was palpable; for instance, Gareth’s comment about the diminishing competitiveness among local authorities is a strong indicator that we’re moving in the right direction - toward shared goals and joint innovation.
Last week's Dolenni Digidol wasn’t just about showcasing innovative AI applications - it was about building a community of leaders that are committed to working together, learning from one another, and ultimately making a difference in the Welsh public sector.
Finally, I’d love to hear your thoughts: if you attended the event or joined us via livestream, what was your “penny drop” moment? How do you think we performed against our objectives of increasing understanding, encouraging ethical adoption, and fostering collaboration? Please share your insights by going to our feedback survey. Your feedback will be invaluable as we continue to build the business case for more in-person networking events across Wales for public service leaders.
If you missed out this time, don’t worry, you can watch the full recording on our YouTube channel. But don't miss out on the next one – be the first to hear about our next Dolenni Digidol event coming to your patch by joining our mailing list. A true Comms and Marketing professional never misses an opportunity to plug the next thing!
Thank you once again to everyone who made this event a success.
