GIW Federal 2025: AI: Acquired Insight with Jennifer Bardsley

Jennifer Bardsley, Assistant Secretary for Corporate and Case Systems at the Department of Home Affairs, provided a grounded perspective on how the agency is approaching AI in a rapidly evolving landscape. She described the department’s early exploration phase as both strategic and measured, noting that the goal is not to chase trends but to understand where AI can genuinely streamline work, strengthen decisions, and support staff.

A key highlight was Home Affairs’ Copilot for M365 trial, which is giving teams firsthand experience with generative AI in everyday tasks. Bardsley explained that these experiments are helping the department uncover practical opportunities — from interpreting policy and guidelines more quickly to assisting frontline corporate functions.

She also emphasized the importance of learning from AI advancements across other organizations, both in government and industry. These insights, she said, help Home Affairs position itself on the leading edge without compromising its commitment to security, governance, and responsible deployment.

Throughout the session, Bardsley emphasised that progress relies heavily on strong, transparent partnerships with vendors. Working collaboratively, she noted, is essential to ensure AI systems remain safe, fit-for-purpose, and aligned with public service values.

The result is a picture of an organisation moving toward AI capability with clarity and caution — testing, learning, and building confidence one step at a time.