I've written a long blog post about AI Agents and the need for those running services to prepare - technically, operationally, commercially, strategically, legally and in terms of policy. AI Agents could be a properly huge deal. There. I wrote it. loosemore.com/2026/08/04/k...

Know Your Agent: Why you should act now, to avoid playing catch-up later

Back in March, I was beaten by the bins. I’d spent a happy few evenings (and a great many tokens) trying to build a simple web app: share any UK address, find out which bins to put out, and w…

loosemore.com

We’re looking for a proactive and enthusiastic Marketing and Events Manager to join our Communications and Marketing team as a maternity cover. If you think you'd be a great fit, we'd love to hear from you. Applications close on July 6th. Apply now via the link: apply.workable.com/public-digit...

New @publicdigital.bsky.social book on creating the conditions for your org to use AI properly. public.digital/pd-book-crea...

PD Book: The Intelligence Era Organisation

This book by Adam Maddison explores how senior leaders can get real results from AI investment, instead of treating it as a quick fix.

public.digital

How does a small central programme become a national movement for public service reform? I've written about what next for Test, Learn and Grow - and what it will take to scale a way of working across every corner of the state. 👇 andrewgreenway.substack.com/p/from-metho...

From method to movement

The second act of Test, Learn and Grow

andrewgreenway.substack.com

There's lots of important messaging in this new guidance from GDS / DSIT on AI, open code and vulnerability risk. In particular: "Private repositories can create a false sense of security" and "Openness can surface issues earlier" www.gov.uk/guidance/ai-...

AI, open code and vulnerability risk in the public sector

Guidance for safely publishing source code in the open, and reducing the risk of AI-accelerated vulnerability discovery.

gov.uk

The Met, never knowingly not bent.

Jessica Elgot@jessicaelgot.bsky.social · 7mo ago

Exc from @pippacrerar.bsky.social - The Metropolitan police has apologised to the Commons speaker for sharing with Peter Mandelson’s lawyers that he had passed on a claim that the former UK ambassador planned to flee the country. www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...

Available today - our latest book “Shaping Technology For Transformation”: We've written a practical guide on building technological adaptability and resilience for leaders ready to strengthen their organisation's foundations. Get your copy here: public.digital/pd-technolog...

As well as our monthly round-up of internet era ways of working and technology news, Public Digital newsletter #101 explores examples of change and innovation in local government. Read it on LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/pulse/public...

Public Digital #101 | Public Digital

On Thursday we’re hosting a session on finding opportunities for radical transformation in local public services.   As well as our monthly round-up of internet era ways of working and technology news,...

linkedin.com

This Thursday we're hosting a PD Sessions event on Finding Opportunities for Radical Transformation in Local Public Services. Book your place to attend in person or online ⬇️ public.digital/events/pd-se...

We're sponsoring the devolution and reorganisation zone at #LGPE2025 next week. Join PD Director Philippa Newis for her session: 'From blocker to enabler: the role that procurement must play in innovation and transformation of local public services'. localgovexpo.co.uk/devolution-r...

Wonderful interview with @kwastell.bsky.social in @designweek.co.uk which nicely captures the pragmatism, messiness and sheer human graft required to create the organisational, conditions for customer centricity. www.designweek.co.uk/there-is-no-...

Definitely fictional

UK local government is at a pivotal moment. As PD Director Gavin Beckett writes, it’s time to start building dynamic service organisations to respond to the challenges of today. Our event on 27 November will explore how we can build a movement across the sector. public.digital/pd-insights/...

At @publicdigital.bsky.social my colleague @robmiller31.bsky.social has a saying: “you can’t be safe, only safer” Being safer, and more resilient, means changing how leadership approaches technology delivery. Whether that’s for cyber security. Or tech failure. More here: public.digital/cyber

Excellent #pddatabites this evening. Loved the breadth of the AI focus - application at scale, ethics & people, rapid prototyping and amplifying auditors. Definitely recommend if you're into lively and varied chats from smart people doing interesting things with data. public.digital/data-bites-s...

Join us for our next PD Sessions event on Find Opportunities for Radical Transformation in Local Public Services - taking place in person or online on 27 November. public.digital/events/pd-se...

This is a profoundly useful resource, and almost all of it's applicable to *any* org, not just councils Assume your cyber controls *won't* work, and make sure to check this out so you can be confident that you'll know what to do (And bravo to the LGA for making this open - it makes things better)

Public Digital@publicdigital.bsky.social · 11mo ago

As reported by BBC News today, being prepared to respond to a cyber-attack is now a critical business priority. We worked with the Local Government Association and a range of partners to develop the ‘Cyber Incident Grab Bag’ for local authorities. public.digital/pd-insights/...

This is very good stuff, bravo @janethughes.bsky.social 👏

Janet Hughes@janethughes.bsky.social · 11mo ago

Did a little interview with @beckiesmith.bsky.social @civilserviceworld.bsky.social - thanks v much Beckie for having me! :)

Come join my team @publicdigital.bsky.social! We’re looking for technologists from all kinds of backgrounds to join us and use your hands-on experience to help leading institutions around the world adapt for the digital age. apply.workable.com/public-digit...

Tech Principal Consultant - Public Digital

Salary: £85,000 - £105,000 (depending on experience)Location: United Kingdom (Hybrid – with regular in-person client meetings. Some travel, including international travel, may be required depending on...

apply.workable.com

We went to UKGovCamp 2025 and have a lot to share 🏢

The UK Government has launched a new centre to drive digital transformation in public services. As our CEO @benterrett.bsky.social explains, this initiative reflects a commitment from the top levels of government to harness technology for improving lives across the country.

News: A new centre of digital government for the UKpublic digitalpublic digital

Public Digital CEO Ben Terrett responds to the Government's new plan to harness technology and AI

public.digital

"New tech + old state = same disappointment" > totally this - great post from @daivaughan.uk with lots of sensible and pragmatic advice on getting the most from AI (and any technology tbh). public.digital/pd-insights/...

Gov.uk: Are we ready for an AI Revolutionpublic digitalpublic digital

Dai Vaughn blogs in response to Kier Starmer's announcement on investment in AI

public.digital

The quiet radicalism of 'test and learn' sounds a lot less exciting than Big Projects Doing Massive Things With Mega Budgets. But if you want to make a real and enduring impact it has a lot going for it. A great explainer here from @daverog.bsky.social: public.digital/pd-insights/....

My colleague @robmiller31.bsky.social has written this blog post about how organisations should be thinking about cyber security. There's no such thing as 'safe', only 'safer'. public.digital/pd-insights/...

🚲 One of my fave city innovations I must ramp is how Transport for London & GoogleMaps are working together to make #cycling safer. Because of this, today you can choose a safer, low-traffic route across the city. Here's how this amazing #collaboration happened... 🧵 1/6 tfl.gov.uk/info-for/med...

The human stories from @auschwitzmemorial.bsky.social are a stark reminder of why we must never forget. But the banal bureaucracy of this horror is chilling. 'Just another form to sign off', but what it actually meant was 394 lives... Profoundly uncomfortable reading & profoundly necessary reading.

Auschwitz Memorial@auschwitzmemorial.bsky.social · 2y ago

The list of selected prisoners was signed by the camp commander SS-Untersturmführer Franz Hössler. A copy of the typewritten list was stolen in the female camp and turned over to the resistance organization in Auschwitz I camp. It was sent to Cracow on November 21, 1943 by Stanisław Kłodziński.

This article about Thames Water’s IT is obviously worrying and a disaster waiting to happen. But it’s also not surprising - so many of our public services are drowning in toxic legacy technology. www.theguardian.com/business/202...

Thames Water’s IT ‘falling apart’ and is hit by cyber-attacks, sources claim

Exclusive: Company relies on obsolete tech and there are troubling security gaps, Guardian investigation suggests

theguardian.com

Totally this. And also true of other areas of the public sector (local gov being a case in point). Far too much dependency and supplier capture to be healthy and green shoots remain sadly scarce.

Tom Loosemore @tomski.com · 2y ago

This. NHS England needs to develop a robust capability to shape the software market that is supposed to serve its needs.

Totally agree - permacrisis has led to too many orgs trying to grab simple ‘solutions’ to complex problems. Really looking forward to working together and helping orgs do the hard work to make things simple @gavinbeckett.bsky.social! 😊

Gavin@gavinbeckett.bsky.social · 2y ago

Just posted a longer reflection on my work with Placecube and imminent move to Public Digital. medium.com/@gavinbecket...

A timely reminder that no amount of technology magic is going to be a miracle anything. And getting overexcited about the latest thing is very likely to compound problems, not avoid the hard graft that's actually needed to deliver better services.

Rachel Coldicutt@rachelcoldicutt.bsky.social · 2y ago

Something I genuinely don't understand is *why does no one do robust quality assurance testing anymore*? If your product literally does not work, and the error rate cannot be predicted, why are you even releasing it?