Publications

These whitepapers provide in-depth analysis and insights into various aspects of defence data, artificial intelligence, and their applications in the defence sector.

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AI, data analytics, and digital technology use: A survey of the UK workforce

Simeon Yates, Suzanne McClure, Alex Hardy

This report details a national-level survey exploring workforce experiences, knowledge, and perceptions of artificial intelligence (AI), data analytics, and digital technologies within the UK.

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AI, data analytics, and digital technology use: Appendix: Basic Exploratory Data Analysis

Simeon Yates, Suzanne McClure, Alex Hardy

Appendix to accompany report. The report details a national-level survey exploring workforce experiences, knowledge, and perceptions of artificial intelligence (AI), data analytics, and digital technologies within the UK.

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Attitudes to Data: Workshop Findings Vs Policy

Alex Hardy

This working paper contrasts the findings of a series of Attitudes to Data LEGO® workshops conducted in late 2023 by the DDRC Attitudes to Data research team with the recent data-facing policies of the UK government. This paper may be useful to policymakers and decision-makers seeking to understand and navigate the contemporary data challenges facing the UK.

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DDRC Workshops: Summary of Research Findings

Suzanne McClure

This report summarises findings from Defence Data Research Centre workshops on attitudes toward data across six UK sectors. It combines quantitative and qualitative analyses to identify organisations' key technological and human challenges and offers guidelines for effective data environments.

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DDRC Workshops: Concerns by Sector

Suzanne McClure

This report examines DDRC workshop transcripts using ATLAS.ti to identify key themes and concerns through qualitative coding. It provides an overview of the workshops, explains the coding process, and presents findings for six UK sectors, highlighting participants’ main concerns and opinions about data.

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DDRC Workshops: Idealisation of Data Surroundings

Suzanne McClure

This report examines DDRC workshop transcripts to identify common themes and high-frequency words. It also provides an overview of the workshops and confirms that project objectives were met. The findings reveal similar language patterns across sectors and offer insights into prominent themes based on participant language patterns.

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DDRC Workshops: Emotive Concerns Surrounding Data

 Suzanne McClure

This report analyses DDRC workshop transcripts, identifying common themes and frequently used emotive words. Suzanne McClure highlights three significant themes related to emotive language, showing patterns across sectors. The report provides a workshop overview and presents quantitative results, offering insights into participants’ concerns and opinions about data.

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Attitudes to Data

Alex Hardy

Our exploration of data attitudes in the UK, funded by the Ministry of Defence. This study uses innovative LEGO® workshops to understand how organizations handle data. By engaging participants in interactive exercises, we uncover challenges and opportunities in data accessibility, security, and management. Our findings reveal practical insights into the relationship between data use and national security. 

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Towards a Sustainable UK Defence Sector: Leveraging capability

James MacGregor

This paper promotes the adoption of a circular economy in the UK Defence sector to bolster its sustainability objectives, minimize waste, foster new business models, and assist in reaching the Ministry of Defence Climate Change and Sustainability Strategic Approach (CCSSA) targets.

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Generative AI and OSINT: Current priorities in fintech and their implication for defence

David G. W. Birch

This paper delves into how fintech advancements, notably AI systems like ChatGPT, might impact the defence sector, especially in Open Source Intelligence (OSINT). It suggests prioritizing an in-depth risk analysis to understand potential threats and countermeasures linked to these technologies.

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Cloud Computing in Government

Sacha Rook

This paper outlines the UK Ministry of Defence's (MOD) new approach to embracing cloud technology for efficient data management and rapid threat response, despite the challenges of lagging behind in digital transformation, and highlights plans to enhance capabilities through the Cirrus programme and partnerships with major cloud providers.

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Lessons Learnt from Government Digital Transformation

James Herbert

This paper examines the UK Government and Ministry of Defence's (MoD) transformation strategies, focusing on AI and data-centric approaches, highlights challenges due to late digital transformation, and offers insights from wider public sector transformations, focusing on procurement, technology, skills, leadership, and culture.

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