Upskill, Uplift, Empower: Building AI capability in government at scale

If you’re tasked with improving how teams understand, adopt, and challenge new technology, this session offers a behind-the-scenes look at how a government department and supplier partnered to build long-term capability in AI.

We’ll share how Hippo partnered with a Department to design a tailored, multi-phase programme — starting with a week-long, hands-on AI learning experience for hundreds of public servants, and evolving into targeted policy engagement and future-focused design workshops.

Phase 1 – AI Week: Covering AI fundamentals, real-world use cases, and the ethical questions every team needs to address.

Phase 2 – Policy Impact Workshops: Working directly with policy groups to explore where AI could influence decision-making and service delivery.

Phase 3 – Design in a Day (upcoming): Facilitating rapid prototyping of future service and policy scenarios.

You’ll leave with practical frameworks, examples, and lessons learned on how to scale capability building from awareness to action — creating a confident, questioning workforce that keeps innovation human-first, delivers value for money, and makes the most of your partnerships.