Sam George unveils plan to connect 48 government data registries for AI-driven planning
The Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Sam George, has disclosed that the government is developing a national data exchange hub to connect 48 data registries across public institutions, as part of efforts to improve national planning and ensure that development projects are driven by evidence rather than political considerations.
Sam George, the Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, has unveiled a plan to create a national data exchange hub. This initiative aims to connect 48 data registries across various public institutions to enhance national planning and ensure that development projects are based on evidence rather than political considerations.
The project will enable government entities to share and analyze information across sectors, helping policymakers identify communities' most urgent needs and allocate resources more efficiently. This aligns with the government's broader plan to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) into public administration.
Mr. George emphasized that the finance minister should be able to draft a budget that is not influenced by sentiment or political rhetoric, but rather driven by solid data at the click of a button. He pointed out that development decisions are frequently swayed by political promises and demands from communities, rather than a thorough assessment of their actual needs.
During an interview ahead of the second episode of the Digital Economy Forum, Mr. George used a hypothetical example to illustrate his point. He explained that a community might demand a road, despite healthcare data indicating that maternal mortality is 12% higher than the national average. In such cases, investing in a maternity ward or hospital could have a more significant impact on residents' lives than constructing a road.
According to Mr. George, access to integrated data will allow government officials to evaluate competing development priorities more objectively, relying on empirical evidence instead of primarily responding to requests made during political campaigns. He believes that in order to achieve this, interventions in communities must be driven by hard facts and empirical evidence.
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