Most popular GovInsider stories, January 2024

The key themes include leveraging technology like AI to improve citizen experiences, prioritising user-centric design of digital systems, and strengthening cybersecurity. The articles showcase public sector leaders driving change through partnerships, human-centric design, and smart adoption of new tools.

1. Singapore libraries level up: An inside look at their innovation

Imagine a gen AI platform that lets you have full conversations with your favourite books. This is one of three tech prototypes that Singapore’s National Library Board will be rolling out this year in their bid to build the library of the future – the generative library, says Gene Tan, Chief Innovation Officer of the Board to GovInsider.

2. One stop digital shop: Indonesia government’s superapp revolution

From 27,000 to 9 superapps, the Indonesian government will be launching consolidated mobile apps by the third quarter of 2024, making it easier for people to access public services such as digital ID, healthcare, education and social assistance. GovInsider uncovers the role of Peruri, Indonesia’s recently appointed GovTech agency, in this initiative.

3. When GovTech failed: Lessons from South Korea's 56-Hour digital shutdown

A ‘56 hours of paralysis’ in South Korea’s digital government network led to 240,000 complaints from citizens – a shocking disruption for a country ranked third in the United Nations’ last e-government survey. Luke Cavanaugh teases out the lessons learned from this incident about digital governance, cybersecurity and resilience.

4. The Chief behind Singapore's tech-charged library revival

Since National Library Board’s inception in 1995, a drive to innovate has heralded a huge infrastructural transformation of Singapore’s public libraries. User needs have changed, as has the entire content and learning landscape. Gene Tan, Chief Innovation Officer at NLB, is certain that a commitment to innovation is how to keep pace with these changes.

5. Singapore makes commutes more dementia-friendly

Transport is key to creating dementia-friendly environments in Singapore. Singapore’s eldercare agency and transport operator recently signed an MoU to strengthen collaborations in making public transport more inclusive. GovInsider speaks to Agency for Integrated Care (Singapore), SMRT Corporation Ltd, and a caregiver to find out more.