Let’s be honest—AI is no longer a thing of the future. It’s arrived and is already embedded within our everyday lives. Whether it’s your phone suggesting the fastest route to work, your streaming app recommending your next binge-watch, or the chatbot helping you book an appointment, AI is quietly working behind the scenes to make things easier.
And now, it’s starting to make waves in the public sector too. From councils and government departments to frontline teams, AI is opening up new ways to work smarter, make better decisions, and deliver services that really meet people’s needs.
AI: Not Just for Techies
In the public sector, AI has the potential to be a game-changer. It can help us spot trends in service use, automate repetitive tasks, and respond more quickly to the needs of our communities. It’s not about replacing people—it’s about giving us better tools to do our jobs.
AI is moving fast, and if we don’t get stuck in early, we risk being left behind. Here’s why it’s worth paying attention now:
- We can shape how AI is used before it becomes baked into systems
- We can make sure it’s ethical, inclusive, and designed with real people in mind
- We can build trust by being open about how it works and who it serves
- We can make sure it reflects public values and priorities.
As public sector professionals, we’ve got a responsibility to make sure AI works for people. That means bringing together different perspectives—legal, ethical, technical, and user-focused—to build tools that are fair, transparent, and useful.
What’s ecda Doing About It?
The Essex Centre for Data Analytics (ecda) is all about helping public sector teams across Essex get better at using data and AI. It’s a partnership between Essex County Council, the University of Essex, and Essex Police—and it’s hosting a free online event called AI Talks on 30 September 2025.
This event is designed for anyone working in the public sector—whether you’re shaping policy, delivering services, or leading digital change. It’s a chance to hear from experts, see real-life examples, and get practical ideas you can take back to your team.
Here’s what you can expect:
- Big ideas about how AI is changing public services
- Hands-on sessions exploring tools like Microsoft Copilot and AI-assisted healthcare
- Real-world case studies showing how AI is helping with housing, customer engagement, and admin tasks
- Ethical discussions about how we design AI responsibly and build public trust.
Each session is designed to be accessible, engaging, and grounded in practical application. Whether you’re just starting to explore AI or already using it in your work, AI Talks will give you fresh insights, useful tools, and new connections.
Here are a few sessions on the AI Talks programme that will give you a glimpse into what you can learn from the day’s sessions:
Explore the power of Agentic AI - Here.Now.AI, hosted by Nicole Wood, CEO of Essex County Council, with insights from Paul Maltby, Director of AI Transformation in Government at Faculty, explores agentic AI and its potential to revolutionise decision-making within councils.
Discover the potential of AI in healthcare innovation - If you’re interested in healthcare innovation, don’t miss Advancing AI-Assisted Skin Cancer Detection, led by Dr Haider Raza, Senior Lecturer in Artificial Intelligence at the University of Essex. This session demonstrates how cutting-edge machine learning models are helping clinicians detect skin cancer earlier and improve patient outcomes - making healthcare smarter, faster, and more equitable.
Build your own AI tool - For those curious about building their own AI tools, 60 Minute Makeover: AI, led by Stephen Simpkin, Data Science Fellow at Essex County Council, is a hands-on session that proves AI development isn’t just for big tech.
Understand AI’s past, present and future - If you want the bigger picture, The AI Arc: History, Hype and Horizons, presented by Dr Spyros Samothrakis, Chief Scientific Advisor at the University of Essex, takes you through the history and future of AI, helping you understand where off-the-shelf tools work best and when custom solutions are needed.
Learn the importance of responsible AI - Smart Governance: Navigating AI’s most pressing Challenges, hosted by BJ Harrington, Chief Constable of Essex Police, with joint contributions from Fiona Henderson, Assistant Chief Officer Continuous Improvement and Analytics at Essex Police, and the Cabinet Office Digital, tackle the ethical and legal frameworks needed for responsible AI use in public services.
Together, these sessions led by ecda partners - Essex County Council, Essex Police, and the University of Essex - showcase real-world innovation that is improving lives across our communities.
Let’s Shape the Future Together
AI is already changing how we live and work. Now it’s our turn to help shape how it’s used in public services. By getting involved, asking questions, and sharing ideas, we can make sure these technologies work for the people we serve.
Explore the full schedule and register today to be part of the conversation: Register to be part of the AI conversation