Information Technology decision makers (ITDMs) and CIOs will benefit enormously from the Tech Trends 2023 report from Info-Tech. Before reading the whole report, Canadian CIOs and ITDMs should review these highlights and key takeaways.
When creating a digital strategy that moves fast and performs better, a guide to Tech Trends 2023 can be a very helpful resource. The Canadian public sector needs to take a closer look at this corpus of data and its trends. Based on the CIOs’ and IT decision-maker experiences, the research should take into account the following highlights.
Discover New opportunities
The Metaverse
A recent layoff of 11,000 metaverse employees, many of whom were Canadians, may have been part of Meta’s effort to focus on the metaverse. Although the metaverse may add value to the public sector, there is still no convincing, comprehensive vision. As the technological landscape changes, CIOs and decision-makers in government IT are encouraged to observe and wait.
The public sector in Canada integrated virtual collaboration platforms and tools into communication, collaboration, and data management procedures while dealing with the epidemic. In the future, we recommend that public sector teams continue to develop their digital collaboration capabilities and maintain an innovative mindset. The following are two crucial steps that should be taken soon to get ready for the future:
- Experimenting with the management of 3D models of popular tourist attractions that are in the public domain in order to get ready for useful use cases that will come up as the current churn continues.
- To enable more efficient hybrid work and create a strong digital channel for community participation, communication and collaboration infrastructure should be modernized and a communication and collaboration system strategy should be established. These initiatives might develop into more complex information management strategies, such the advantages of an online repository offered by a virtual data room.
No matter where the metaverse goes in the future, the following idea will always hold true: To collaborate and communicate effectively, data management and orchestration must improve.
Generative AI
Generative AI is a semi-supervised machine learning technique where neural networks are used to create new content or decipher intricate signal data. Training the models on a significant amount of data, primarily unstructured data can lead to new works and discoveries. The technology may also be used for increased cybersecurity analytics and defense in addition to producing photos for governments.
With the creation of a Pan-Canadian Artificial Intelligence Strategy in 2017, Canada is well-positioned to lead the way in generative AI regulation. The foundation of this organization consists of three pillars:
- Talent/research.
- Commercialization.
- Standards.
To promote Made-in-Canada AI innovations for the business, governmental, and nonprofit sectors, the Commercialization pillar supports three national artificial intelligence centers as well as worldwide information clusters. The Second Pillar of the pan-Canadian plan involves AI standards, which are being developed by the Standards Council of Canada. The federal government is developing the final pillar, which involves the CIFAR – (Canadian Institute for Advanced Research and the Digital Research Alliance of Canada). All three pillars will be supported by the federal government through the fiscal year 2026.
By gaining a thorough understanding of new regulations (such as those Canada and the EU are enacting), comparing biased results with improved governance, and considering ethical considerations, Canadian government organizations could augment their workforce, accelerate training of AI models, and take advantage of unstructured data with AI.
Industry-Led Data Models
To effectively capitalize on the potential of shared digital services, the public sector in Canada must standardize its data models. A key aspect of digital governance is the use of technologies that enable data sharing between all levels of government and the implementation of reusable, shareable, digital services and procedures.
It is not surprising to see the Canadian public sector take the lead in this area. A framework for managing information was recommended by Roy Wiseman as the CIO for the Regional Municipality of Peel in 2010. Despite the fact that MISA members (such as the City of Toronto) rely on the MRM as a reference, there are currently no uniform data models throughout the government in Canada. Datathons organized by Info-Tech Digital Identity has focused on this issue heavily in the past couple of months.
To encourage social innovation and support economic activity, this document included a wide range of proposals for producing, safeguarding, and disseminating data as a strategic asset. The amount of change that Canadian society has experienced in the last four years makes it essential to have a data strategy that includes scalable data models. Data strategy is being revised by this federal government, with work beginning in 2022 and lasting until 2023.
Sustained Digital Processes
The pandemic has insatiably fueled the thirst for digital services among Canadians. Additionally, they make it very clear that the current services need to be greatly improved. Consequently, creating seamless experiences through digital channels and seamlessly integrating them into conventional in-person and telephone services is a primary motivator for Canadian public sector enterprises. Canadian public sector CIOs and ITDMs include:
- By modernizing the application portfolio, a robust digital services platform can be built.
- Creating clear goals and directions for digital strategies.
- Incorporating sound IT security practices and procedures into digitization to strengthen its effectiveness.
- Enhancing government service through digital identity.
Rapid change is taking place in this last area in Canada. The Honorable Mona Fortier, who is currently the President of the Treasury Board of Canada, stated the following goal: If customers access digital services at one entry point in the federal government’s digital ecosystem, they should be able to receive the same digital experience from any other point in that ecosystem. Having access to government services in the public sector at this level is a laudable and ambitious – albeit difficult – goal. The Government of Canada is required to create uniform data models.
Volatility protection
Reporting and analytics on ESG issues
It is only in its infancy that public sector organizations in Canada support ESG analytics and reporting. In 2024, full ESG disclosure is required by the federal budget for 2022. Public financial institutions and pension funds have been affected by impending requirements from the financial authorities. A business that manages its ESG risks well would perform better because it would be less susceptible to changes in law or public demands, according to the justification.
- A dashboard displaying ESG data has been launched by StatsCan on the federal level this year. Users will be able to assess their interest in the data and determine the project’s future direction based on their responses.
- With regard to the provinces, Alberta established an ESG Secretariat in 2021, British Columbia released its first ESG report this year, and Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island also publish reports. Quebec, Newfoundland, and other provinces have also shared their sustainability goals.
- A number of Canadian communities have started to report, and Calgary, Edmonton, and other towns are indicating that they intend to include ESG.
The ESG Imperative and Its Impact on Enterprises has advantages for public sector organizations at all levels in Canada.
Zero Trust Security
In the current pandemic, we have been reminded of the important role of supply chain consistency (recall personal protective equipment shortages), core services, and the people who provide those services. Cyberattacks have increased both in quantity and expense in recent years. Despite the increasing difficulty of combating ransomware, Canadian municipalities still struggle to deal with it, reports IT World Canada. Canada’s biggest strategic risk comes from cyber threats caused by “state-sponsored programs,” according to the National Cyber Threat Assessment 2020 assessment. In fact, the Canadian government considered this threat to be so grave that more funding for cybersecurity was given to various government departments and agencies.
Security borders are both permeable and difficult to enforce because XaaS platforms are now being used more widely, making new products and solutions necessary. Since it allows internal and external access to services, “Zero Trust” has become known as a “borderless” security model because it enablesinternal and external access. Security is no longer viewed as a Russian nesting doll, as it had been traditionally viewed as a “defense in depth” strategy. Preparation, experience, and funding are necessary for zero trust.
Conclusion
For Canadian public sector IT leaders to remain competitive and successful in 2023, it is crucial for them to stay ahead of technology trends. Technology leaders must ensure their organization stays innovative, efficient, and secure by leveraging the latest trends and technologies. Staying on top of industry news, developing strong partnerships with tech vendors, and investing in research and development are all essential. Having a future-oriented approach to IT will help Canadian public sector IT leaders succeed in 2023. In order to succeed in 2023 as a Canadian Public Sector IT Leader, learn about the many advantages of migrating to Canada and Express Entry Draws.