Digital Government 2026

This popular, interactive conference is a must-attend event. It provides a valuable opportunity to bring together key stakeholders to gain insight into the government’s objectives for digital transformation and hear directly from those responsible for driving this forward.

The move towards digital public services continues to gather pace. As society evolves, public services must adapt to meet the changing needs of communities.

Artificial intelligence is likely to be one of the most significant drivers of change. The Executive has established the Office of AI and Digital, with work underway to support responsible and ethical adoption of AI across the public sector. For Northern Ireland’s public services, the opportunity is significant, but so too are the challenges around governance, transparency, skills, privacy, assurance and public trust.

Cyber resilience must also remain central to this transformation. Northern Ireland’s Government Cyber Security Strategy 2022–2030 sets out the ambition to build a cyber-resilient public sector and ensure that core government functions can withstand cyber threats. The growing use of AI adds another dimension, creating opportunities to strengthen cyber resilience while also presenting new risks through increasingly sophisticated attacks.

The challenge also remains to make user experiences more personalised and responsive. There is a need to humanise technology – the user journey, not technology must lead the way. Talent will also be a key factor going forward. We must address the staffing challenge, identify skills gaps and staff must be empowered to play an active role in transformation. Hybrid working and remote working hubs are now the new normal.

Finally, digital inclusion continues to be a priority. Half of the population aged 65 and over, and one in three people with a disability, remain offline. Bridging this digital divide is essential to ensure that no one is left behind in our digital future.

This conference will feature a range of expert speakers who will talk about their digital transformation journey and look ahead to what’s next as organisations prepare for a digitally driven future.

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