Agilisys at the Solace Scotland Conference 2024

Unlocking the Power of AI in Public Services: Insights from the Solace Scotland Conference - September 2024 Agilisys was thrilled to attend the Solace Scotland Conference 2024, held at the picturesque Melville Castle in Midlothian. This year's theme, "Inwards, Outwards, Forwards," provided a platform for public sector leaders to discuss innovative solutions to some of the most pressing challenges facing local governments today.

Tackling Child Poverty and Social Care Challenges

A key agenda item at the conference was the focus on tackling child poverty through the "Stepchange" initiative. Local authorities discussed innovative approaches to reduce child poverty, with speakers like Chris Birt from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation highlighting the importance of data-driven strategies to support high-risk families​.

The conference also addressed Scotland's commitment to The Promise-a national pledge to improve outcomes for care-experienced children and young people. As Scotland approaches the halfway mark of this ten-year mission, public sector leaders reflected on the progress made and emphasized the need for continued leadership and innovative solutions​.

Workforce and Financial Sustainability

The conference also underscored the ongoing challenges of workforce development and financial sustainability within Scotland's public sector. Sessions like "Building a Sustainable Scottish Local Government Workforce for the Future" and "Sustainable Public Services: Financial Sustainability" highlighted the importance of innovation and collaboration in overcoming these obstacles​.

AI's Transformative Role in Public Services

One of the key sessions of the conference was "De-mystifying Artificial Intelligence," where Diane Gutiw, Global Vice-President for Analytics, AI, and Machine Learning at CGI, showcased the real-world applications of AI in local government. The session emphasized how AI can improve service delivery in critical sectors such as health and social care, aligning perfectly with Agilisys' work in developing AI-driven solutions for public bodies.

Looking Ahead

As we reflect on the insights gained from the Solace Scotland Conference 2024, it's clear that Generative AI has a vital role to play in addressing the pressing challenges facing public services in Scotland. Whether it's tackling child poverty, achieving sustainability targets, or ensuring financial stability, AI-driven solutions will be at the forefront of public sector innovation.

We look forward to continuing our collaboration with local authorities across Scotland to build smarter, more resilient public services that can meet the demands of the future.