Let's Think Digital

Government procurement. For some, you might think of scandals, like the recent controversy about the amount of money spent on developing the ArriveCan app, or the sponsorship scandal in the early 2000s. For others procurement is that boring, sometimes frustrating process when contracting for services. But the reality is that how governments procure is fundamental to its ability to undertake digital transformation projects.

To talk about this, we are so happy to have joining us Dr. Amanda Clarke, Associate Professor of Public Administration, Digital Government, Data Governance, and Civic Technology at Carleton University. Learn more about the research that Dr. Clarke and her team have been undertaking about federal government procurement in Canada at: https://govcanadacontracts.ca

Watch the Video Version of the Episode

https://youtu.be/zvIrRl-SBHQ

Ryan travels to Dubai for the World Government Summit, an annual event that brings together leaders in government and industry from around the world, looking at issues related to digital transformation, futurism, sustainable development and other topics that are of interest to policy makers around the world.

Appearing on this episode as part of hallway conversations during the Summit are some amazing guests:

• Pooja Warier Hamilton - Chief Partnerships Officer, Apolitical
• Giulio Quaggiotto - Innovation Advisor, Prime Minister’s Office, UAE
• Aaron Snow - Fellow, Georgetown University Beeck Center for Social Impact and Innovation
• Barbara Ubaldi - Head of Digital Government and Data Unit, OECD
• Simonida Subotic - Former Deputy Secretary for Economic Development, State of New York

Watch the Video Version of the Episode

https://youtu.be/aLYT-F5CQPM

Everyone is talking about the metaverse, but what is it actually, and what does it mean for digital government and the public sphere? How is it different from the promises of virtual reality made in the 1990s? In this episode, host Ryan Androsoff talks to Jen Schellinck, an expert in data science and artificial intelligence, and Meghan Hellstern, a user experience and human-centered design specialist to break through the hype.

Read more about how Ryan, Meghan, and Jen have been using Virtual Reality in the Digital Executive Leadership Program that they run with the Institute on Governance.

Cold Open Source: ABC News Primetime Live

Watch the Video Version of the Episode

https://youtu.be/bCobtVf_7yw

Over the last 30 years, technology has been promised to transform government and public services. But the reality hasn't always matched the promise. Why is that? On our very first episode of Let's Think Digital, we unpack what is going on, and how we might use the "Pac-Man" model to drive digital transformation.

Joining host Ryan Androsoff, are Dorothy Eng, Executive Director of Code for Canada, Winter Fedyk, CEO of Silo Strategy, and Luke Simcoe, a change management and communications expert.

Read more about Think Digital's "Pac-Man" model of digital transformation.

Cold Open Source: Clinton Library

Watch the Video Version of the Episode

https://youtu.be/5DKrSokfA5s

Let’s Think Digital is a new podcast about what it takes to use digital technologies to transform our world to improve peoples’ lives. Hosted by Ryan Androsoff, Founder of Think Digital, and an incredible community of digital innovators from all walks of life, this podcast goes beyond the hype of founder culture.

Our focus isn’t just user counts, funding rounds and quarterly profits. Instead we’re going to talk about why systems resist change, and how transformation is just as much about people and culture as it is about tech stacks.

You’ll hear a wide range of topics, from the link between procurement and digital government, to the impact of new technologies like the metaverse. From equity, inclusion and ethical responsibilities for tech, to why governments can’t be run like businesses, particularly when it comes to providing digital services to citizens. We’re eager to talk about the political and philosophical ramifications of technology and what it means for the future of government. Our goal is to help you to learn about how digital is impacting our world, to ask better questions, and to be able to call bullshit when you need to! 

Learn more at https://www.letsthinkdigital.ca!