AI Strategy to Action for Government

Leading responsible AI adoption, public policy, workforce change and public value

Turn AI ambition into informed action

Australian Government leaders are being asked to identify opportunities for AI while maintaining public trust, protecting information and supporting staff through change. This two-day course gives participants a practical way to assess where AI and emerging technologies could improve government work and services, what needs to be in place, and how to lead an initiative responsibly. Lots and lots of Government AI case studies globally and regionally.

Participants work through a public-sector scenario and apply the concepts to a challenge from their own organisation. The course connects technology decisions with service design, data sovereignty, governance, investment and workforce transition.

Who should attend?

The course is designed for Australian public-sector directors, managers, programme leaders and policy or service delivery professionals involved in considering, planning or overseeing AI and digital initiatives. It is also relevant to people working across governance, risk, procurement, workforce capability and transformation.

Participants do not need a programming background. The course explains technical concepts in a way that supports informed leadership and decision-making and public policy initiatives.

What will participants be able to do?

By the end of the course, participants will be able to:

• Distinguish between AI models, assistants, agents, automation and other relevant technologies – and explain where each may or may not be appropriate.
• Identify a public-sector challenge and examine the functions, decisions and people affected.
• Assess data, infrastructure, supplier and sovereignty questions relevant to a proposed initiative.
• Define practical governance controls, including decision rights, permissions, oversight and escalation.
• Develop an initial case for action, with a proposed test, evidence of value and a 90-day plan.

Course modules

1. The AI and Emerging Technology Landscape
Understand the capabilities and limitations of AI agents, models, assistants and harnesses, alongside automation and other emerging technologies relevant to government.

2. Government Work and Public Value
Identify opportunities to improve services and examine how technology will change functions, decisions and the role of human judgement.

3. Data, Infrastructure and Sovereignty
Explore how information, systems and suppliers support an initiative, and what leaders need to know about control, access and digital sovereignty.

4. Governance in Practice
Consider the decisions and controls needed for responsible adoption, including accountability, permissions, oversight, security and escalation.

5. Investment and Evidence
Compare options, assess costs and benefits, and identify how to test whether an initiative is delivering meaningful value.

6. People, Transition and Action
Prepare staff and stakeholders for changing ways of working, and develop practical next steps for an initiative in your organisation.

What will they leave with?

Participants leave with a draft initiative plan they can discuss within their organisation: the problem and intended public value, technology options, key dependencies and controls, a proposed way to test the idea, and practical next steps. It is a starting point for agency assessment and approval.

Optional Day 3: From Strategy to Implementation

Turn the ideas from the course into a practical proposal for your agency. In this facilitated workshop, participants work through a real AI or digital initiative, examining the service or function it could improve, the people involved, data and technology dependencies, and the decisions that require human oversight.

Participants leave with a draft action plan they can take back to their organisation, including proposed next steps, key stakeholders, risks and controls, and a practical way to test whether the initiative is delivering value.

Delivery

Duration: Two days, with an optional third day for applied planning.
Format: Facilitated discussion, demonstrations, public-sector scenarios and applied exercises, bring laptop and power supply
Audience: Australian Government teams, including policy, service delivery, programme and operational leaders
Prerequisites: No programming experience required

Course based on AI for Executives and Leaders but adapted for public policy on emergent tech. Images and some text by AI. All mistakes are the AI’s Laurel’s.

I’ve written this for directors, managers and programme leaders who will shape or deliver initiatives. Senior executives could attend, but a separate half-day executive briefing might be a better fit for people primarily concerned with investment, accountability and strategic oversight. Please see my website for more information.

About Laurel Papworth

Laurel Papworth is an Australian AI educator, corporate trainer and workshop facilitator who helps leaders understand the opportunities and practical implications of emerging technology. She has lectured at the University of Sydney and developed AI Is My Copilot, licensed to the Australian Institute of Management. Laurel has a Cert IV In Training and Assessment. Her work includes AI training and executive briefings for government, business and professional audiences, with a focus on governance, workforce change and informed decision-making. Laurel is also preparing to deliver Digital Vanguard: AI-Driven Digital Strategy for Public Sector Leaders in Malaysia, helping participants connect AI and digital initiatives to public value and practical action.