This customer panel session addresses the UK Public Sector's challenge of balancing IT modernisation with evolving business needs. Experts debate two key approaches: incentivising and upskilling for infrastructure transformation, and directing investments to dynamic business requirements. Discussions will focus on reducing technical debt, aligning tech upgrades with customer benefits, and talent development. Attendees will learn strategies to manage legacy systems and align IT with forward-thinking public sector goals.

Moderator: 

Holly Ellis, Director, Solution Architecture, AWS

Panellists: 

Steve O'Connor, Chief Digital and Information Officer, London Boroughs of Kingston and Sutton
Naomi Allen, Chief Scientist, UK Biobank
Geoff Huggins, Director of the Digital Directorate, Scottish Government

Join Trevor Rodenhurst of Bedfordshire Police and Marion Eigner from AWS to discover how policing is transforming through AI. This session explores the journey of integrating AI and machine learning to enhance policing efficiency. Learn from Bedfordshire Police's experience in responsibly adopting AI, including their successful initiative to reduce data redaction time from days to minutes. Discover starting with AI in your organisation, understanding the ML development lifecycle, and scaling AI applications for broader impact.

Speakers:

Trevor Rodenhurst, Chief Constable, Bedfordshire Police
Marion Eigner, Sr. AI Strategist, AWS

Lightning Talks in the AWS Village

12:40pm - Hype vs reality, which generative AI use cases are producing value?
In this session, Deepak Shukla will highlight which “real world” public sector use cases are generating the most business value and how AWS can support these use cases using our generative AI services.

1:00pm - Best practice security considerations for generative AI
Mark Evans will cover the top 10 AI/ML security threats and mitigation strategies using AWS native security services and generative AI specific controls within Amazon Bedrock, SageMaker, and Titan Image Generator.

1:15pm - Re-imagining data-driven government
Katie Gifford explores how the AWS Migration Acceleration Programme (MAP) aids public sector organisations to assess cloud readiness, identify business outcomes, and build migration business cases, highlighting its role in cost-efficient and agile digital transformation.

Join Home Office and Kainos as we unveil how we are positively impacting citizens' everyday lives. Discover how our innovative partnership is aiming to digitally transform life event registration into a seamless, world-class service. We'll also leverage and build upon the successful transformation of passport services, handling 21 million applications, providing a world-leading user experience, and achieving a remarkable 95% satisfaction rate. Together, we'll show how these initiatives signal a shift towards a citizen-centric approach, enabling a future where accessing public services digitally and obtaining essential documents is an exceptional user experience.

Speakers:

Philippa Manley, Digital Services Director for Passports and Civil Registration, UK Home Office
Chirag Agarwal, Home Office Account Lead, Kainos
Síona O'Reilly, Solution Architect, Kainos

Anke Conzelmann, Director of Product Management at Iron Mountain, will discuss how digital innovations are reshaping government services in the UK. Focusing on improving citizen experience, he will explore strategies to enhance accessibility, efficiency, security and the utilisation of data in a digital future. Join the session to discover how organisations can leverage technology to bridge between physical information and digital data and create more seamless experiences for citizens across the UK.

Speaker: 

Anke Conzelmann, Director of Product Management, Iron Mountain

Explore generative AI's role in public sector innovation with experts Ali Shepherd (CISO, FCA), Shruti Kohli (Head of Data Science, DWP), and Robert Ling, Director of Transformation, North Yorkshire Council). This panel discusses the realistic potential, ethical considerations, and strategic implementation of AI in the UK public sector. Learn to differentiate hype from actionable opportunities and understand AI's transformative impact on citizen experiences and operational efficiencies.

Moderator: Deepak Shukla, AI, Data and Analytics Leadership, AWS

Panellists: 

Ali Shepherd CISO, FCA
Shruti Kohli, Head of Data Science, DWP
Robert Ling, Director of Transformation, North Yorkshire Council

Join AWS and Amie Alekna, Director of Security and Information Governance at the UK Ministry of Justice, as they share insights on cultivating a robust 'Culture of Security.' This session explores AWS's significant expansion and how its security-centric culture combats global cybersecurity skills shortages. Learn how 'security ownership' accelerates secure, rapid organisational changes. Amie Alekna brings a valuable perspective from the Ministry of Justice, illustrating the practical application of these principles in government.

Speakers: 

Amie Alekna, Director Security and Information Governance, Ministry of Justice
Mark Evans, Security Technologist, AWS

It’s time to unlock the true value sustainability presents as one of the greatest innovation opportunities of our time. To capture this once in a generation chance to create a future that is sustainable, circular, inclusive, and more resilient – we must shift our mental models. Hilary Tam joins us from the AWS Sustainability Transformation Acceleration Team (STAT), to share insights through working with pioneers and forward-looking leaders to unlock the multi-trillion-dollar value at the intersection of Technology, Innovation, People & Planet.

Speaker:

Hilary Tam, Principal BDM, AWS

Gain valuable insights from Crown Commercial Service (CCS), Central Digital and Data Office (CDDO) and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). Hear their advice and best practices for successful migration, including improved scalability, flexibility, control, and cost-efficiency. Hear from a line-up of experts with extensive experience in public sector, legacy-to-cloud transitions. Don't miss this opportunity to accelerate your own migration journey with their practical tips and insights.

Moderator: Faye Holt, Director, Strategic Accounts & Central Government, AWS

Panellists:

Paul Booth, Head of Hybrid Cloud Services, DWP
Matt Sayer, Head of Shared Platforms, DWP
Jay Chinnadorai, Crown Representative, Cabinet Office
Ed McCutcheon, Government Chief Architect, Office of the CTO, CDDO

Join us for an informative session focused on optimising cloud utilisation and costs in the public sector. Explore practical strategies and case studies that highlight successful cloud utilisation and cost optimisation. Gain valuable insights into maximising the benefits of cloud adoption, including improved resource utilisation, cost efficiency, and enhanced service capabilities. Learn from industry experts and gain the knowledge to optimise cloud utilisation and costs.

Moderator: Kevin Long, Principal FinOps Strategist, AWS

Panellists:

Robert Miller, Strategic Director, Customer and Workplace at London Borough of Hackney
Bharath Vadhoola, Head of Engineering, UK Home Office

Lightning Talks in the AWS Village

12:40pm - Hype vs reality, which generative AI use cases are producing value?
In this session, Deepak Shukla will highlight which “real world” public sector use cases are generating the most business value and how AWS can support these use cases using our generative AI services.

1:00pm - Best practice security considerations for generative AI
Mark Evans will cover the top 10 AI/ML security threats and mitigation strategies using AWS native security services and generative AI specific controls within Amazon Bedrock, SageMaker, and Titan Image Generator.

1:15pm - Re-imagining data-driven government
Katie Gifford explores how the AWS Migration Acceleration Programme (MAP) aids public sector organisations to assess cloud readiness, identify business outcomes, and build migration business cases, highlighting its role in cost-efficient and agile digital transformation.

Join us for a 40-minute panel discussion on how public sector organisations can benefit from AI and ML capabilities in the cloud. Explore the potential of storing data in the cloud to drive faster innovation and derive valuable insights from vast amounts of data by using these technologies. Discover practical examples of how you can transform public services and meet citizens' expectations. Hear from customers who have done this already, such as the London Borough of Lambeth and Swindon Borough Council.

Moderator: Jason Whittet, Government Transformation Lead, International Central Government, AWS

Panellists:

Natasa Patterson, Chief Digital and Data Officer, London Borough of Lambeth
Michael Sinclair, Head of Data, Analytics and Insight, London Borough of Lambeth
Sarah Peña, Head of Emerging Technology & Business Improvement, Swindon Borough Council

The UK government’s 2022-2025 Roadmap for Digital Data outlines its mission to modernise legacy IT by 2025. However, government legacy remediation efforts encounter numerous challenges, from funding and talent scarcity to legislative complexities. How does the private sector tackle legacy remediation, and what lessons can we learn from their approaches? In this session, we will compare insights from legacy remediation research conducted with senior executive leaders in the government and heavily regulated private sectors like finance and healthcare. Through the exploration of commonalities and differences in challenges, barriers, needs, and approaches, attendees will gain fresh perspectives and some practical ideas to apply within their own organisations.

Speaker:

Makiko Taniguchi Principal User Researcher, AWS

Artificial Intelligence (AI) can offer enormous potential for the public sector. By embracing AI, the public sector can design more efficient policies, engage better with citizens, and provide higher-quality public services, faster. However, realising these benefits is not an easy task. More so, AI relies heavily on data to derive the desired outcomes. So, in this breakout session join us in exploring the government's AI adoption in an effective and ethical way.

Moderator: Yatin Mahandru VP and Head of Public Sector and Health, Cognizant

Speakers:

Philip Basford, Consulting – Data and AI CTO, Cognizant UK & Ireland
Deepak Shukla, AI, Data and Analytics Leadership, AWS

This panel discussion focuses on innovative approaches to talent development in the public sector, specifically addressing the digital skills gap. This session explores practical strategies for attracting, retaining, and upskilling civil servants in cloud technologies. Gain insights from senior public sector leaders as they discuss the challenges and opportunities in training and enabling government employees. Discover how the public sector can effectively bridge the digital skills gap and drive successful cloud adoption through innovative talent development initiatives.

Moderator: Sarah Hengeveld, Senior Manager, UK Public Sector Customer Success, AWS

Speakers:

Jaspal Dhaliwal, Assistant Director and Head of Service, London Borough of Newham
Robert Miller, Director, Information Technology, London Borough of Hackney
Claire Spiller, AWS re/Start, AWS

It is widely acknowledged that the health and wellbeing of a citizen is influenced not only by the quality of health service provision, but by lifestyle and our environment. This panel discussion explores how technology can help to drive collaboration between organisations involved in delivering critical public services, and the opportunity that AI and other advanced technologies offer in driving future transformations, empowering the individual and those that support them.

Moderator: Dr. Andrew Jones, Head of Clinical Innovation, AWS

Panellists:

Dr. Gill Horne, Program Director, Care Services, Rowcroft Hospice
Dr. Hatim Abdulhussein, National Clinical Lead for AI and Digital Workforce, NHS England
Patti Wynn, Chief Health & Care Strategy Officer, Tunstall Healthcare

Explore the inspiring digital transformation journey of University College London (UCL). Discover how they embraced Agile Methodology, harnessed the cloud, and develops new skills to drive innovation within the university environment. Gain insights into the transformative impact on teaching, learning, research, and administration, as UCL adapted to the digital landscape, enhancing the university experience for students and staff. Uncover the key elements of success, including the development of internal capabilities and pioneering integration approaches.

Speakers:

Andy Smith, CIO, University College London
Alexis Nelson, Platform Owner, University College London

Lightning Talks in the AWS Village

12:40pm - Hype vs reality, which generative AI use cases are producing value?
In this session, Deepak Shukla will highlight which “real world” public sector use cases are generating the most business value and how AWS can support these use cases using our generative AI services.

1:00pm - Best practice security considerations for generative AI
Mark Evans will cover the top 10 AI/ML security threats and mitigation strategies using AWS native security services and generative AI specific controls within Amazon Bedrock, SageMaker, and Titan Image Generator.

1:15pm - Re-imagining data-driven government
Katie Gifford explores how the AWS Migration Acceleration Programme (MAP) aids public sector organisations to assess cloud readiness, identify business outcomes, and build migration business cases, highlighting its role in cost-efficient and agile digital transformation.

Discover how Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) prioritises staff upskilling to drive better outcomes in the public sector. With data at the core of their operations, TfWM has a cloud-based data approach, enabling modern, data-driven practices day-to-day. Join Stuart as he shares practical steps on talent, governance, and budget to ensure TfWM's improves outcomes for both the Combined Authority and the individuals involved.

Speaker: 

Stuart Lester, Head of Transport Data, Transport for West Midlands
John Chapman, Account Manager, AWS

Join national leaders, implementers, and health tech innovators in a panel discussion on expediting cloud adoption in the NHS. Explore the vision, policies, and latest technologies driving NHS cloud initiatives. Topics include national strategy, governance, standards, organisational change, and emerging use cases. Engage in open dialogue to align priorities, address challenges, and expedite cloud adoption for improved patient care and operational efficiency. Gain insights into the current landscape, future direction, and actionable strategies to advance cloud adoption within your organisation.

Moderator: Kira Levy, Head of Healthcare UK, AWS

Panellists:

Ian Townend, Deputy Director of Technology Strategy, Architecture and Standards, NHS England
Martin Sadler, CDIO, Sandwell & West Birmingham NHS Trust
Kayleigh Patterson, Product & Release Manager - Digital Pathology UK, FujiFilm Healthcare UK

Sarah Peña from Swindon Borough Council presents an innovative solution called Simply Readable that converts documents into Easy Read format, designed for citizens with learning disabilities. In this session, Sarah will provide an overview of how AWS generative AI technology is supporting Swindon to create documents that are more accessible and inclusive. Discover how Swindon Borough Council's initiative forms part of a collaborative effort among local authorities to develop open solutions that can be adopted and scaled to other communities.

Speakers:

Sarah Peña, Head of Emerging Technology & Business Improvement, Swindon Borough Council
Kris Burtwistle, Head of Local Government, AWS
Polina Shloido, Local Government Account Manager, AWS

Discover how to effortlessly set up a cloud-based contact centre with Amazon Connect. This workshop will guide you through creating a seamless omnichannel customer experience across phone, chat, and more, simplifying complex processes. Explore how Generative AI and chatbots can elevate your customer interactions to new heights. Gain hands-on experience with Amazon Connect's visual contact flow, delving into conversational analytics, unified agent experiences, case management, and more, to transform your contact centre operations.

In this workshop, you'll gain hands-on experience in addressing key data sharing and governance challenges. You'll learn how to seamlessly integrate data with your business initiatives, ensuring it's ready to bolster your projects. We'll explore ways to unlock data's potential, making it accessible for decision-makers without compromising privacy or security. This session will guide you through practical approaches to establish effective data governance, fostering a culture of informed decision-making within your organisation.

In this workshop, you'll discover how to harness generative AI to extract valuable insights from contact centre recordings and other media. Learn to use Amazon Bedrock and Amazon Transcribe for comprehensive analysis, including automatic call recording, transcription, post-call and sentiment analysis, issue detection, and summarisation. You'll explore how to integrate AWS Contact Centre Intelligence (CCI) solutions with generative AI across various telephony systems such as Cisco, Genesys, Talkdesk, and Avaya. The session includes demonstrations on creating analytics dashboards and integrating Large Language Models (LLMs) with Amazon QuickSight for effective visualisation of key metrics.

In this workshop, delve into the world of foundational models with Amazon SageMaker Studio. You'll get hands-on experience building a Large Language Model (LLM) playground using JumpStart, deploying the Llama-2 model, and refining response quality through prompt engineering and Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG). The session culminates with using LangChain and Streamlit to create a chatbot, showcasing practical applications of your newly developed LLM.

Delve into securing Amazon VPC in this workshop, where you'll gain practical skills using AWS services to bolster VPC security. Learn about layering additional security, managing traffic securely, and leveraging services like Amazon Route 53 Resolver DNS Firewall and AWS Network Firewall. Featuring exercises with IPv6 and scenario-based challenges that mirror real situations, this session equips you with the knowledge to create a secure VPC architecture, supported by hints and walkthroughs for each lab.

Explore the capabilities of AWS Resilience Hub in this workshop, designed to enhance your application's resilience. AWS Resilience Hub offers a unified solution to define, validate, and monitor your AWS application's resiliency, ensuring protection against disruptions and compliance with regulatory requirements. Through a detailed walkthrough of its functionalities, you'll learn how to effectively use Resilience Hub to evaluate and improve workload resiliency, fortifying your application's continuity and compliance posture.