Proving AI ROI in the Public Sector: Why TBM and FinOps Are Critical for AI-driven Business Transformation

Public sector organisations across Australia are rapidly moving from AI experimentation to operational deployment. While agencies are under pressure to improve services, productivity and decision-making through AI, leaders must also maintain strong financial stewardship and public accountability. AI introduces new cost drivers and consumption patterns that challenge traditional budgeting, cost attribution and program oversight. Without clear visibility into usage, cost and outcomes, technology leaders risk uncontrolled spending, fragmented initiatives and difficulty demonstrating value to executive leadership, auditors and the public. Strengthening financial governance and investment transparency is becoming essential for ensuring that AI initiatives deliver measurable outcomes while maintaining trust, accountability and responsible use of public resources.

Key discussion points

• Strengthen accountability for AI investment decisions
  Establish governance and financial management practices that link AI spending to measurable program outcomes and public value.
• Improve visibility into AI and cloud cost drivers
  Use FinOps principles and TBM taxonomies to understand how AI workloads, data usage and cloud infrastructure shape agency expenditure.
• Apply disciplined investment planning to reduce AI sprawl
  Coordinate AI initiatives through structured funding models and governance mechanisms that prevent fragmented experimentation.
• Enhance forecasting and financial planning for emerging technologies
  Build forecasting capabilities that help agencies anticipate fluctuating AI and cloud costs while maintaining budget control.
• Align technology investment with agency priorities
  Connect digital and AI initiatives to policy objectives, operational performance, and service delivery outcomes through stronger financial stewardship.

Who should attend

This session is ideal for senior public sector leaders who need clear visibility into technology spend, who oversee IT investment decisions, or who are accountable for ensuring that AI and digital programs are cost‑effective. This includes those involved in digital transformation and ICT strategy, AI and emerging technology initiatives, cloud platforms and architecture, technology governance, and IT financial management.