Elon Musk has recently taken on an unexpected role as Volunteer IT Consultant for the United States government, as he announced via a post on X (formerly Twitter) on December 9. Musk stated, “Need to fix the IT infrastructure in order to make government work. This is a grind & hardly glorious, but we can’t make government efficient & fix the deficit if the computers don’t work.” His comments come in tandem with US President-elect Donald Trump’s proposal to set up the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a new advisory body designed to enhance government efficiency through technological innovations.
DOGE, which will be led by Musk along with Vivek Ramaswamy, a prominent Republican ally of Trump, aims to tackle antiquated federal systems which, as noted in a 2019 report by the Government Accountability Office (GAO), may be over 50 years old. This initiative reflects a broader trend within the Trump administration, prioritising the overhaul of governmental operations with a technology-focused lens to mitigate inefficiencies.
In a global context, Musk's involvement indicates a renewed emphasis on modernising governmental structures and integrating digital approaches across different nations. Following significant elections worldwide in 2024, new leaders are anticipated to imprint their policies onto digital transformations, with the prevailing trend suggesting that existing digitalisation efforts are unlikely to be reversed but realigned with their political objectives.
In the UK, the recent Labour Party victory has resulted in a significant restructuring within its digital governance sphere. The establishment of a new “Digital Centre” under the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) aims to consolidate various digital entities and drive the country's ten-year vision for digital innovation, as articulated by the civil service COO, Cat Little. She stated the initiative would aid the administration in achieving five national missions through strategic data utilisation, including enhancements to the National Health Service (NHS).
Meanwhile, in Indonesia, digital governmental initiatives are also gaining momentum. The transition from the Ministry of Communication and Informatics (KOMINFO) to the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs (KOMDIGI) under President Prabowo illustrates a commitment to prioritising digital transformation, building on former President Jokowi's initiatives. Newly appointed Minister Meutya Hafid has underscored that digital transformation will play a crucial role in eradicating corruption and aligning with the government's eight national missions (Asta Cita).
International observers are also keeping an eye on Germany, where a snap election set for early 2025 may lead to shifts in digital policy, as well as developments in Bangladesh, where the country's innovation agency has faced scrutiny amid political upheaval.
As nations across the globe embark on ambitious digital transformations, the concept of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) is emerging as a focus. Collectively involving 22 nations under the United Nations’ 50-in-5 programme, the initiative aims to empower countries in designing and launching foundational digital infrastructures by 2028, potentially culminating in substantive advancements during the forthcoming Global DPI Summit. However, the varying interpretations of DPI among countries could pose challenges in securing continued funding and support from multinational institutions due to the risk of misuse for surveillance purposes.
The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into governmental frameworks has accelerated, with numerous countries adopting national AI strategies alongside their digital initiatives. Malaysia, for instance, has established its National AI Office to bolster digital transformation and public service delivery, while Australia aims to unveil a National AI Capability Plan by the end of 2025 to enhance investment in AI.
Countries are also developing their large language models (LLMs), with Thailand, Turkey, Nigeria, and Kazakhstan leading efforts to create models tailored to their linguistic needs. Singapore is investigating innovative AI methodologies, including agentic AI, which enables autonomous AI agents to independently make decisions, reflecting an adaptation to evolving technology trends in governance.
As governments navigate this rapidly changing digital landscape, adhering to best practices in digital governance, such as user-centric approaches, sustainability, and robust cybersecurity measures, will be imperative to effectively meet public expectations and avoid potential backlash.
Source: Noah Wire Services