Big data in government: How data and analytics power public programs

AI and data analytics in the public sector will be key to improving public services

Ask a child what their dream job is, and they’ll likely say something exciting like an astronaut, athlete or singer. Or they’ll say something like a firefighter, police officer or teacher – a role that helps others.

Kids never say they want a job just for the paycheck. As adults, while many work primarily for money, government employees often have deeper motivations. They choose government work because they want to serve their community. People who opt for it desire to help the public and provide services to citizens that truly benefit their lives.

However, big data hinders efforts and leads to massive operational inefficiencies. Governments have vast amounts of data – a treasure trove of data. They know it’s an extremely valuable resource but remain largely unable to make the most of it. Why? Because the data is typically scattered across government agencies. It’s stored in hard-to-process formats or in places where digital access is impossible.

With these challenges comes the opportunity to identify areas for improvement:

• Modernizing data management practices and data solutions for the public sector.
• Putting data and analytics at the heart of operations for decisions about policies, needed programs and reducing costs.
• Closing digital gaps with artificial intelligence (AI) and generative AI by automating routine tasks and processes.

Data analytics can significantly contribute to saving billions by enhancing efficiency, reducing waste and improving decision making. 

Managing data in today's government and public health

As data volumes, types and sources soar, the need to process data effectively increases – and the urgency of managing data is and will continue to be a top priority. 

Good data management is essential to ensuring trusted, ethical and bias-free outputs. Good access to technology enables civil servants to extract useful data from any type of data storage mechanism or format so they can spend more time using the data rather than just trying to find it. Governments can make informed decisions, optimize resources, and improve transparency and accountability.

Big data government: Where there is data, there are solutions

Big data analytics in the government can be applied to just about any program to provide tangible outcomes, including:

• Emergency response. Real-time data sharing between emergency services and hospitals leads to quicker response times, resource optimization and improved patient outcomes. Health leaders using interoperable data and analytics platforms boost efficiency, save lives and provide excellent care during critical times.
• Anti-money laundering. Analytics are being used to prevent money laundering and financial crimes, directly affecting terrorist organizations or unfriendly foreign governments that use illicit financial activities to fund their operations.
• Insider threats. Using analytics to detect anomalies and irregular behavior, agencies can greatly reduce the amount of data that gets leaked or stolen. This helps prevent fraud and cybercrime that drains money and resources that could otherwise be used for programs to help the citizenry.
• Workforce effectiveness. Data, analytics and AI can streamline public administrative work, such as recording, sorting, filing or verification tasks. This allows civil servants to focus on their organizations' mission priorities, reduce burnout and do more with less. Agencies can allocate resources more strategically.
• Health crises. Every five minutes, a person in the US dies from a drug overdose. Using big data and analytics can help federal and state agencies implement opioid-avoidance programs in these areas – everything from community education to targeting doctors that overprescribe medication – to make real changes.

Using big data, analytics and AI to make meaningful change

Governments worldwide are making progress with harnessing data, breaking down information-sharing barriers, increasing transparency and empowering public servants to focus on what truly matters. They are implementing data, analytics and AI strategies to boost service delivery and productivity.

• California’s Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission (MHSOAC) uses analytics and data management to better serve residents and increase community well-being. Dawnté R. Early, PhD, MS, the Chief of Research and Evaluation at the MHSOAC, saw an opportunity to gain a broader view of the impact mental health services had on improving patient outcomes. “We had a vision to integrate data systems that have never talked to each other at a statewide level,” Dr. Early says. “It’s hard to know if you’re having an impact when you’re only looking at a sliver of the story. We needed to see the whole picture.”
• In Abu Dhabi, data is used to ensure children grow up healthy, educated, and prepared to advance and enhance life. Using advanced analytics and data management capabilities, the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority (ECA) uses data integration, data transformation and data quality routines. The ECA has critical, up-to-date information it can use to improve child well-being. In addition, ECA’s data management practices are crucial to presenting real-time, evidence-based insights to social policymakers who make funding decisions for its program.
• The Delaware State Police Department is tracking down suspects faster with data and analytics. The department aggregates data from organizational records, collision investigations, traffic citations, criminal incidents and calls for service from every law enforcement agency in the state. The records are searchable and indexable. “Whether it is a structured data search or an unstructured text search, it gives a comprehensive view of what’s going to identify persons, places and things pertaining to a crime,” Major William Crotty says.
• Noncompliance, tax avoidance and tax evasion cost governments about 10% to 20% of anticipated annual revenue. Malta Tax and Customs Administration’s modernization initiative is improving taxpayer compliance and employee morale. "Previously, we had an entirely manual process. Now ... audits are much faster and more effective because they are based on cross-referenced data,” says Joseph Caruana, Commissioner for Tax and Customs. Now they have a comprehensive view that allows them to verify compliance and enhance performance and productivity through better decision making.

The future is AI and data analytics in government

“The new era of public service will be marked by the automation of citizen services and mundane routine tasks,” says Jennifer Robinson, Global Government Strategic Advisor at SAS. “Data and AI, specifically the use of generative AI in the public sector, will revolutionize operations.”

Big data and analytics provide a tremendous benefit to the public sector. Moreover, analytics and AI improve outcomes that have a direct impact on citizens. Whether it’s a fight against a nationwide drug issue, response to emergencies, protection against the loss of sensitive information or intellectual property, or simply making government more efficient, the data-driven insights you can gain from your stores of big data make a difference.