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Are AI and Robots a white knight without a horse?

This article by Naomi Bolton explores the critical role of digital infrastructure in enabling AI and Robotics, particularly within the public sector, and offers insights into building a resilient, secure foundation to maximise the value of these technologies.

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Introduction

There has been a surge in investment in Robotics and Artificial Intelligence (AI), particularly aimed at automating manual processes, enhancing efficiency, reducing costs, and delivering better services. The allure of these technologies is undeniable - who wouldn’t want a solution that can effortlessly handle repetitive tasks, leaving humans free to focus on more critical matters? However, a crucial question arises: are we sending in a knight to save the day without providing them with the trusty steed they need to get the job done?

In this analogy, the knight represents AI and Robotics, while the horse symbolises the essential infrastructure, specifically, the network and data-sharing capabilities that enable these technologies to function effectively. Without this underlying infrastructure, even the most advanced AI and robotic solutions may struggle to fulfil their potential.

The Drive to Do More: Robotics and AI in the Public Sector

Having spent much of my professional life in the public sector, particularly in policing, I am acutely aware of the inefficiencies that can arise from manual processes. Whether it’s filling out forms with the same information repeatedly or copying data between disparate systems, these tasks are not only time-consuming and costly, but introduce significant risks. The reliance on individuals to manually transfer information, often while juggling multiple demands, increases the likelihood of errors - missing crucial details, entering incorrect data, or misplacing information altogether.

Given these challenges, it’s no surprise that many public sector organisations are turning to technological solutions to ease the burden of these tasks. The ability to swiftly and accurately pull data from various systems, for instance, is invaluable for effective investigations, risk assessments, and problem-solving. It’s entirely appropriate for tech solutions to take the pressure off frontline workers, allowing them to dedicate their time and energy to what truly matters.

In my current role as an Account Manager for Cloud Gateway, I engage with several police forces and local authorities. Many of these organisations are investing in AI and Robotics precisely to address these issues. However, when I ask them how they plan to connect the various systems and organisations necessary to enable these new tools to mine data from multiple sources, it often becomes clear that this aspect of the equation is an afterthought. While many talk about the need for APIs to connect systems, they often misunderstand the purpose of these tools. APIs are the translators that ensure data is placed in the right context, but they are not the means by which systems are connected.

The real challenge, and the key to getting the most out of AI and Robotics investments, lies in establishing the foundational networking that facilitates this connectivity. Without it, even the most sophisticated robots or AI solutions will be limited in their effectiveness. Interoperability between systems and departments is crucial for these technologies to deliver the desired outcomes. If the foundational infrastructure is lacking, then the investment in AI and Robotics may not yield the expected return, effectively leaving the knight stranded without a horse.

To truly harness the power of Robotics and AI, organisations must ensure that their systems are well-connected and capable of sharing data seamlessly.

Naomi Bolton / Cloud Gateway

How to Connect Your Systems to Maximise Robotics and AI

To truly harness the power of Robotics and AI, organisations must ensure that their systems are well-connected and capable of sharing data seamlessly. This requires more than just implementing APIs or relying on traditional internet-based methods. The traditional approach of connecting systems over the internet, while commonplace, is not always the best solution, particularly when dealing with sensitive data or requiring high levels of reliability and speed.

The Limitations of Traditional Approaches

Traditional networking approaches often involve routing data over the public internet, which can introduce latency, security vulnerabilities, and potential bottlenecks. While Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) and encrypted connections offer some level of protection, they are not foolproof, especially when handling large volumes of data or requiring real-time processing. In scenarios where AI and Robotics are used to support critical public services, such as law enforcement or healthcare, these limitations can be particularly problematic.

Moreover, the public internet is not designed to handle the complex, high-speed data exchanges that AI and Robotics demand. These technologies require robust, low-latency connections that can support the rapid retrieval and processing of large datasets. Without this, AI algorithms may struggle to deliver real-time insights.

Building a Resilient Infrastructure

To overcome these challenges, organisations need to invest in dedicated, secure networking solutions that can support the high demands of AI and Robotics. This might include private networks, secure cloud connections, or hybrid solutions that combine the best of both worlds. These networks should be designed with scalability in mind, ensuring that they can grow alongside the organisation’s AI and Robotics capabilities.

Additionally, data sharing across different departments and organisations must be seamless. This requires not only the right technical infrastructure but also clear governance policies and protocols to ensure that data is shared securely and used appropriately. By prioritising the creation of a robust, interconnected infrastructure, organisations can ensure that their investments in AI and Robotics are not wasted.

Conclusion

AI and Robotics have the potential to revolutionise the way public sector organisations operate, offering significant improvements in efficiency, accuracy, and service delivery. However, these technologies cannot function in a vacuum. Without this digital foundation, even the most advanced technological solutions may fail to deliver on their promise, leaving organisations with a costly investment that falls short of expectations.

By investing in robust networking and data-sharing capabilities, organisations can gain the freedom to leverage AI and Robotics to perform their duties effectively.