A special focus on AI
flow. Nonetheless, the benefits that digital technology brings about is not solely exclusive to advances in AI. As noted in the aforementioned, emerging technologies such as Blockchain, also carry a great potential in shaping the country’s success. Blockchainbased solutions may be instrumental in achieving a competitive advantage in government operations aiming at delivering improved and more efficient public services. Vast applications such as in voting, transportation, securing health records, and managing digital IDs, prove the fast, secure, and efficient benefits that Blockchain technologies may offer a government.
It has been noted that AI, in particular, can significantly bridge the gap between citizen engagement and service delivery. This can be further substantiated through the employment of other emerging technologies such as Blockchain. Ultimately, the adaptation of ICT solutions in government operations is conducive in efficiently meeting the needs of citizens whilst increasing their trust in public services.
With the purpose of increasing the usage and take-up of such emerging technologies MITA has been mandated by the Office of Parliamentary Secretary responsible for Parliamentary Secretary for Financial Services, Digital Economy and Innovation, is currently to working on a number of initiatives. Training and awareness sessions are being delivered to MITA and government employees to better understand how emerging these technologies can be further be implemented adopted within the Public Administration. Government MITA will be setting a lab is also working on the setting up of an Emerging Technologies Lab to encourage experimentation on these technologies and has just issued a call YouStartIT#4 for startups, MITA issued a call, to submit their ideas focusing on emerging technologies particularly Blockchain, IoT, AI, VR and others.
Rebekah Mifsud is presently studying towards an MSc in Cognitive Science at the University of Malta. She also currently forms part of MITA’s Student Summer Placement Program, recruited within the Strategy and Business Department.