5 Must-Know Government Technology Trends in 2024

Technology continues to change the way we live and govern, both globally and locally. When people interact with their government, they expect service similar to what they get with a business. Salesforce’s Connected Government Report polled thousands of people around the world to learn what they expect from government and 87% said a “great” digital experience would increase their degree of trust.  

Public sector organizations have made strides in recent years to modernize service to remain on par with their private sector counterparts. By 2025, Gartner predicts that over 75% of governments will operate more than half of workloads using hyperscale cloud service providers. However, there is always more to be done and these industry executives are sharing their perspectives on what they’re watching closely for the future.

From new sustainability practices and advanced security standards to more comprehensive regulatory measures spurred by the AI revolution, we compiled what trends are driving mission success for the public sector in the year to come.

1. Cybersecurity will continue to be a top priority for governments

Even in the face of evolving trends, cybersecurity remains a top priority. Government organizations are breaking down silos to fortify security profiles and ensure a resilient defense against cyber threats. To support this expansion, data security, and highly compliant operating standards are more important than ever.

Governments are adopting more holistic cybersecurity strategies. A good example is the ‘Whole-of-State‘ approach that’s gaining popularity across the U.S. in places like New York, Colorado, and Arizona. Smaller government entities that are often more prone to cyber vulnerabilities are scaling their defense efforts by working with other government organizations to pool resources. 

We see a similar approach being taken by organizations like the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity, which aims to support intra-national coordination between EU Member States in cross-border security incidents.

This all comes at a critical time since firm compliance deadlines are now in place for several industry-wide mandates issued over the last several years, like CISA’s Zero Trust model and the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification for defense contractors.

And compliance requirements will, no doubt, only get tighter. Today, agencies should be relying on, and upgrading to flexible, secure technology platforms that are designed to support agency operations as regulations evolve.

2. Government technology will help agencies be more proactive

Harnessing the power of decision intelligence, governments will usher in an era of proactive citizen services.

By connecting data across agencies, systems, and jurisdictions, AI is enhancing the ability to implement more accurate early warning systems, employ more effective response measures, and use data-driven decision-making to be more agile. The result? Smarter government operations, more efficient regulatory reviews, dynamic emergency response, and more relevant government-to-citizen interactions.

AI is emerging as a linchpin in the government’s continual efforts to modernize operations and transform customer experiences. It’s anticipated that this year, nearly 60% of government AI and data analytics investments will directly impact real-time operational decisions and outcomes. This represents a big shift for agencies that are already leveraging data-driven insights, like predictive analytics, to streamline operations and modernize decision-making.

It all starts with connected, secure data. For AI to work effectively, the data that powers it must be fueled by a comprehensive and well-executed data strategy. Preparing for the AI-led future starts with prioritizing your data modernization plans.

The data modernization journey begins with a few fundamental steps: 

1. Establish a data modernization strategy that helps you identify what data, from various sources, will help you gain the most from your service platform.
2. Connect, standardize, and harmonize data across channels. 
3. Embed AI and automation into your daily workflow to transform how employees work and deliver intelligent experiences to customers.

3. AI governance is gaining traction with government leaders

How much trust can be placed in technology that has so much power and potential to impact the world? As with any new or evolving innovation, governments are taking steps to ensure that as the use and risks of AI expand, this rapidly growing technology will be used in an ethical, secure, and trustworthy manner. 

In the U.S., the White House issued the Executive Order (EO) on Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence. The order establishes new standards around AI safety and security and protecting Americans’ privacy, among others. 

Born out of the EO are two vital artifacts: the Blueprint for an AI Bill of Rights identifying principles to help guide the design, use, and deployment of automated systems. As well as the NIST AI Risk Management Framework to better manage risks to individuals, organizations, and society with AI. 

Shortly after that, the UK convened the AI Safety Summit, where delegates from over 20 countries along with industry leaders signed the Bletchley Declaration — a commitment to work together to identify and mitigate the risks associated with AI and its evolution.

Salesforce is likewise examining current challenges. As a member organization of the National AI Advisory Committee, Salesforce is working alongside government leaders and industry peers to advise the President on matters related to the National Artificial Intelligence Initiative.

In following this commitment to leadership, Salesforce has developed its own AI Acceptable Use Policy, which outlines the responsible use and adoption of AI. 

Smart agencies will begin to implement practices that will not only increase the use of cutting-edge technology but will, more importantly, ensure the responsible adoption of technology for the good of society.

4. Government technology is redefining work in every way 

In a few short years, everything we’ve known about work — from the cadence and culture of work to the locations we use as office spaces — has changed. And this tech-driven shift is being felt across every industry, especially the public sector.

With workloads building, government agencies are harnessing the power of data as a strategic asset, utilizing advances in AI to streamline business processes and boost productivity levels. Many agencies have already started to lean into the broad application of chatbots and virtual assistants to connect people with services much faster and accelerate case resolution times. 

Now, with the need to do more with less and a call from federal lawmakers for increased workforce accountability, the next logical step is to take advantage of technology platforms that bring together data, AI, and CRM.

Integrated technology platforms allow your teams to work faster and more nimbly. They foster better collaboration, harmonizing data across different sources, and providing greater insights into operations. Next-generation Salesforce tools that can facilitate these efficiencies include:

• Slack, which provides a secure means for internal and external teams to stay connected, 
• MuleSoft, which brings together data from different sources and updates in real-time, and
• Tableau, whose powerful visualizations can help teams determine their impact and act on insights.

The broader adoption of integrated tools like these will help raise productivity and empower the next generation of employees to deliver greater impact.

5. Government technology will propel new sustainability initiatives

In the pursuit of a more sustainable and equitable future, governments and adjacent impact-driven industries worldwide are turning to the cloud. It’s becoming the foundation for initiatives that promote sustainability and equity, offering scalable solutions for environmental conservation, resource management, and social inclusivity. 

By implementing cloud technologies, governments can accelerate progress toward a greener and fairer world but the work needed to make an impact is truly a global effort. Under the European climate law, European Union (EU) countries must cut greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030. 

Similarly, in early 2023, the General Services Administration and the U.S. Chief Information Officers (CIO) Council issued the IT Sustainability Best Practice Guide — a response to the Energy Act of 2020 and Executive Order 14057 that direct agencies to create best practices for the acquisition, maintenance, and use of sustainable IT products and services.

Sustainability management, as a practice, covers vast areas of oversight, and the idea of ‘going green’ can seem incredibly daunting — especially for resource-limited government agencies. Comprehensive emissions tracking platforms, like Net Zero Cloud, can give you the insight you need to quickly jumpstart your efforts and the flexibility to grow as your needs evolve.

With the right tech investments in place, here are a few steps you can take to start your sustainability journey: 

• Connect all of your ESG data, in one place, and use a single source of truth to analyze your current sustainability posture. 
• Use connected data insights to determine where to make the biggest impact with existing resources. 
• Track and manage your progress to inform your strategy.

Together, we’re forging a sustainable path to the future where the grass on the other side actually can be greener. 

Modernize your government technology in 2024

As we step into the future, these trends pave the way for government technology that’s not just responsive but proactive. The future promises a landscape where governments are no longer stewards of the status quo but architects of a brighter, technologically empowered future.