Indermit Gill is the Chief Economist of the World Bank and Senior Vice President for Development Economics. Let’s start from there, proud as we are to have hosted his keynote at this year’s e-Governance Conference. Known for his pioneering research and policy influence, Gill introduced the idea of the "middle-income trap" – a concept that continues to shape how nations approach economic transformation in the digital era. Something that strongly resonated with many of the conference participants, who felt it captured the challenges and hopes facing countries transitioning through digitalisation (as they made sure to let us know). And just after his speech set the tone and the tempo for the entire event to follow, we sat down with him for a conversation about the hard realities of long-term reform and the public role in innovation. Throughout, Gill was clear: getting out of the middle-income trap isn’t about copying past models, but making digital transformation serve people. And enable institutions to keep pace with ambition. Country representatives are grappling with how to turn digital transformation into genuine development. Their questions echo the message that digital tools alone are not enough. Dig in to find out, in this XL-sized episode, why meaningful change requires building the institutional capacity to integrate, govern, and innovate.
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46:00
Cyber threat intelligence as public defence, privately informed
Cybersecurity is a shared responsibility that requires strong partnerships between governments and businesses. Governments, therefore, face the challenge of adapting to a world where – in the cyber domain – the state is not the sole provider of intelligence or security, and private sector emerges as a cyber intelligence actor. In this Podcast episode, eGA’s Head of Cybersecurity Merle Maigre speaks with Jack McCurley, a senior intelligence consultant at Recorded Future, about what it takes to build national resilience when the threats are global and decentralised. “Threat actors are networked. If defenders aren’t, we’re already behind,” he says. A first look, here, into the tools and public-private cooperation in cyber threat intelligence sharing reshaping cybersecurity from the inside out. All in anticipation of the e-Governance Conference 2025 session on public-private partnerships on the matter, where today’s speakers will be joined by Liga Raita Rozentale and Nerses Yeritsyan to discuss how shared responsibility can be turned into shared defence.
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From ecosystems to impact, digital and economic growth is collaborative
The EU’s Digital Decade 2030 agenda lays out an ambitious vision: a digitally skilled population, secure and sustainable infrastructure, modernised public services, and a thriving digital business environment. But how do we get there in a way that is concrete, practical, and scalable? In this Digital Government Podcast episode, we sat down with Federico Menna, CEO of EIT Digital and the keynote speaker of the e-Governance Conference 2025. With a background spanning both telecom innovation and pan-European tech investment, Menna brings a dual perspective. And his message is clear: Europe must lead through strategic digital investment rooted in public value, ecosystem cohesion, and global competitiveness.
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What leaders must know about the game of AI governance
Artificial intelligence is moving into the mainstream of government and industry, and with it comes new responsibilities. Mapping today’s AI landscape, then, means looking into the behavioural shifts it triggers, the governance frameworks it demands, and the global power dynamics it reshuffles. In this Digital Government Podcast episode we’re joined by Matthew Blakemore, CEO of AI Caramba! and a leading architect behind the ISO/IEC 8183 international AI standard. Known for bridging cutting-edge innovation with public value, Blakemore has helped shape global conversations on AI data governance, ethical deployment, and public sector readiness. In preparation for his keynote at the e-Governance Conference 2025, we draw from practical frameworks and his experience advising governments and media networks to explore how to govern AI with clarity, caution, and intention. Well before algorithms outpace the institutions meant to oversee them.
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Purposeful leadership drives real digital transformation
What does it mean to lead digital transformation when the stakes are high, and the playbook is being written in real time? Statesmanship shines in this Digital Government Podcast episode with Taimar Peterkop, Estonia’s former State Secretary now with e-Governance Academy, and one of the architects behind the country’s acclaimed digital governance model. From navigating the 2017 ID-card crisis, to coordinating national responses during the pandemic and the war in Ukraine, Peterkop brings front-row insight into the real-world meaning of purposeful leadership.
Welcome to e-Governance Academy’s podcast to discover the future of governance. e-Governance Academy has assisted digital transformation globally in more than 145 countries. Our experts will share their insights and worldwide examples on how digital technology could benefit every society. Tune in for the digital government podcast every Wednesday!
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