Business is fueled by data, but arguably no one collects and uses more data than governments. While governments can be slow to change, the digital revolution is coming quickly. The public sector is discovering the power of data, just as business did, and they are using that data to improve the world, from smart cities to education projects, according to John Galvin, vice president and general manager of Intel public sector at Intel Corp.

“Overall, what we’re talking about is digital transformation and how technology can be used to advance government or advance education,” Galvin said.

Galvin spoke with John Furrier (@furrier) and John Walls (@JohnWalls21), co-hosts of theCUBE, SiliconANGLE’s mobile live-streaming studio, during the AWS Public Sector Summit in Washington, D.C. He talked about technology in the public sector and what that might mean for the future. (* Disclosure below.)

Governments, like business, must go digital

Intel’s role in this change throughout the public sector is that of a trusted advisor; it doesn’t sell directly to government or educational entities. The digital revolution is happening so quickly, it’s hard for governments to wrap their heads around it. With help and advice, however, the public sector is starting to launch projects, Galvin explained.

The question is, how will those projects improve quality of life? Healthcare, transportation or education initiatives all have different needs and outcomes. Regardless, a common thread is that government is seeing proof that such projects work. Technology is improving quality of life for people, according to Galvin.

What’s happening is only a glimpse of the future. “We’re similar to the auto industry. It takes us five or six years to produce our next processor, so we have to be looking that far out,” Galvin said. Accordingly, artificial intelligence is a big part of the conversation. People are talking about how they can use it today. Machine learning isn’t just for government or enterprise, it’s coming to life in the home, he added.

This leads to the concept of smart cities. It’s happening now, and 5G wireless technology will accelerate the transformation. Cities will build on public security and safety, Galvin explained. Real-time analytics that uses machine learning will identify threats.

And people will find new ways to engage with government. One example is government making their data streams public to power new business and innovation, Galvin stated.

Watch the complete video interview below, and be sure to check out more of SiliconANGLE’s and theCUBE’s independent editorial coverage of the AWS Public Sector Summit. (* Disclosure: Intel Corp. sponsored this AWS Public Sector Summit segment on SiliconANGLE Media’s theCUBE. Neither Intel nor other sponsors have editorial control over content on theCUBE or SiliconANGLE.)

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