Let's start a proper conversation about AI in public services
AI and Public Services: What should you know? What should you be thinking about?
Artificial Intelligence could be the most consequential disruption today's public service leaders encounter in their careers.
But how well do we really understand what we're dealing with?
Much of the conversation about AI in public services focuses on what it can do for us - improving productivity, reducing costs and transforming services.
These are important opportunities. But before rushing to adopt new technologies, public service leaders need to understand what AI actually is, how it's evolving, what it can and cannot do, and what must remain distinctively human.
In the latest episode of our #RadicalReformers podcast, Andrew sets the scene for a series of Mutual Ventures articles, webinars and podcasts exploring the evolution from generative AI to AI agents that can increasingly act autonomously, the opportunities and risks this creates, and the fundamental questions it raises about leadership, judgement, accountability and public trust.
Our ambition is to help public service leaders navigate this rapidly changing landscape - not by turning them into technologists, but by equipping them with the understanding and confidence to ask the right questions and make informed decisions.
We're excited and concerned in equal measure about what lies ahead - but these are conversations public service leaders need to be having right now!
30 Sept 2026
Radical Reformers Revisited - Leading a Mayoral Strategic Authority with Caroline Simpson
In this revisited episode, I’m returning to a conversation with Caroline Simpson. Caroline is currently Deputy Chief of Staff to the Prime Minister, with a particular responsibility in Number 10 North. At the time of recording Caroline was the Group Chief Executive of Greater Manchester Combined Authority, Transport for Greater Manchester and Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service.
This episode is worth hearing again because it gets beneath the structures of devolution and explores what it really takes to make it work.
Caroline talks about the relationship between economic growth and public service reform, and why progress must ultimately be felt in people’s lives, not just seen in new buildings or stronger economic stats. She also makes a compelling case for moving investment towards prevention and designing services around the whole person, rather than expecting people to navigate a collection of disconnected systems. All themes we are familiar with here at MV.
But at the heart of the conversation is leadership. Caroline explains how Greater Manchester’s progress has been built on trust, strong relationships and a willingness to have constructive disagreements. These are themes which were strongly supported in my subsequent Manchesterism conversations with Eve holt, Thomas Johnson and Warren Heppolette.
There is a lot here for anyone leading change in a complex system. Above all, Caroline brings remarkable energy, humility and determination and a leadership philosophy that can be summed up in two words: “all in”.
16 Sept 2026
Radical Reformers Revisited - Gary Wallace on Relational Working
A year on, this Radical Reformers episode with Gary Wallace, Plymouth City Council, is just as relevant now as it was then and serves as a powerful reminder that change sometimes it starts with a conversation, a relationship or a different way of working.
As local government and public services continue to grapple with rising demand, shrinking budgets and increasing complexity, we're seeing more debate about the limitations of traditional performance-driven models and growing interest in prevention, place-based approaches and relational working.
Gary sat down with Andrew Laird and challenged the principles of New Public Management and shared why he believes better outcomes come from creating healthier systems. Systems where people, organisations and communities work together.
We could all do with a bit of practical optimism right now. Gary’s message isn't that we need to wait for wholesale system reform. It's that change starts with how we work every day. And as he says, 'Even if you can't change the way your service works, you can change the way you work as an individual.'"
Who has been a guest on Radical Reformers podcast
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Rob Wilson
Kathy Evans
Toby Lowe
Bas Sadiq
Sophie Clarke
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