Policy area: Digital

Reports

Connected devolution

This report from UK think tank Localis examines the current policy context for technological integration and LGR. The wave of local government reorganisation (LGR) heralded by the English Devolution Bill represents the most significant structural upheaval outside of central government since the 1970s. The creation of new unitary authorities is designed to increase productivity and...

Read more

Breaking the echo chamber: Enhancing disinformation resilience in the UK

This report from UK think tank the Henry Jackson Society examines how disinformation affects university students in the UK. This report examines how disinformation affects university students in the United Kingdom. Drawing on three distinct case studies – vaccination, the Southport stabbings, and Candace Owens’ claim that Brigitte Macron is a man – we assess...

Read more

European cloud adoption for national security

This report from UK think tank RUSI explores the role of cloud computing in enhancing European national security and defence capabilities. Cloud computing has become a fundamental capability for European national security and defence. Governments increasingly depend on cloud services to strengthen national resilience, modernise legacy systems and provide advanced technological capabilities such as AI....

Read more

High streets at stake

This report from UK think tank the Social Market Foundation highlights the rise of Adult Gaming Centres and the case for reform. Adult gaming centres (AGCs) offer easy, up to 24-hour access to gaming machines such as slots and bingo. These centres are proliferating across the country, concentrated in the most deprived areas, at a...

Read more

The case for expanding digital public infrastructure

This report from UK think tank Chatham House discusses how open, scalable technology can serve citizens, preserve sovereignty and save money. The modernization of societies through digital technologies is a critical strategic priority that can improve public services and encourage private sector innovation. The term digital public infrastructure (DPI) refers both to the approach and...

Read more

AI and the future of universities

This report from UK think tank HEPI brings together leading voices from universities, industry and policy. A new collection of essays, AI and the Future of Universities (HEPI Report 193) edited by Dr Giles Carden and Josh Freeman, brings together leading voices from universities, industry and policy. The collection comes at a point when Artificial...

Read more

UK national security advantage from disruptive technologies

This report from UK think tank RUSI explores how the UK can leverage its STI policy to secure strategic advantage in national security. The UK's world-leading tech assets and ambitious agenda aren't translating into national advantage because the country is trying to lead in too many areas without the economic scale of competitors like the...

Read more

Operation automation: how to achieve productivity gains in the healthcare system

This report from UK think tank Re:State explores how to achieve productivity gains in the healthcare system. As clinical demand grows both in volume and complexity, health systems worldwide are searching for efficiency quick-wins. Automation is one such innovation. From pharmacy to pathology, its potential is transformative, yet often overlooked. Its benefits are multidimensional. For...

Read more

Alternative financial systems and the reshaping of global finance

This report from UK think tank RUSI examines why more states and other actors are turning to alternative financial systems. A desire for autonomy, necessity, and opportunity are reshaping global financial systems and reducing longstanding Western influence and control – it’s not too late to act. The central conclusion is that the longstanding dominance of...

Read more

Following the fraud: The role of money mules

This report from UK think tank RUSI looks at push payment fraud and the role of money mules within it. This paper discusses the rising issue of fraud in the UK, particularly focusing on the role of money mules in facilitating authorised push payment fraud and the implications for national security and financial crime prevention.

Read more

Rethinking cyber deterrence in a multipolar world

This report from UK think tank RUSI argues that cyber deterrence must be part of an integrated, cross-domain strategy. Geopolitical tensions in cyberspace are escalating. There is an urgent need to reassess how the cyber domain can support broader deterrence strategies. However, the effectiveness of deterrence in cyberspace remains contested among scholars and practitioners. While...

Read more

The duty to differentiate

This report from UK think tank the Social Market Foundation examines how gambling tax reform can raise revenue for the government and save British horse racing. As the Government considers reshaping the way it taxes remote gambling, this report makes a compelling case against harmonising duties across betting and gaming. Instead, it argues for a...

Read more

Pressing Issues

This report from UK think tank the Fabian Society explores making the media work for democracy. The UK media is among the least trusted in the democratic world. Largely owned by a handful of corporations, and with a track record of abuse, misinformation and sensationalism, this is perhaps little surprise. Yet it is also true...

Read more

Artificial advantage?

This report from UK think tank the Sutton Trust explores how AI is being used in schools today. Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to bring about transformative change in practically every sector, including in the education system. In schools, we are just starting to see its impact, with AI tools already saving teachers time...

Read more

Keeping the door open

This report from UK think tank the Social Market Foundation explores how the public sector can be equipped to maintain open-source AI models. AI offers significant potential to enhance UK public services, but the debate on whether to implement proprietary ('closed') or open-source models remains underdeveloped in recent strategies. This report explores how the UK...

Read more