This Is the Public Sector AI Cheat Code

Why It Matters

Elevating data literacy and emotional intelligence equips public agencies to harness AI safely, improving policy outcomes and citizen services while avoiding costly missteps.

Key Takeaways

• Morrow's "Three Cs": curiosity, creativity, critical thinking drive AI success
• Emotional intelligence outweighs technical skill in public‑sector AI adoption
• Practical daily AI practice prevents fear and builds data literacy
• Qlik’s 2026 Public Sector Summit will showcase AI literacy strategies

Pulse Analysis

The public sector faces a paradox: abundant data and mounting AI expectations, yet many employees lack the confidence to turn insights into action. Jordan Morrow, known as the "Godfather of Data Literacy," argues that the missing link is not technology but a workforce fluent in interpreting and questioning data. By embedding data‑literacy programs into agency training pipelines, governments can reduce reliance on external consultants, accelerate evidence‑based policymaking, and meet transparency mandates. This human‑first approach also mitigates the risk of algorithmic bias, a growing concern for regulators.

Morrow’s "Three Cs"—curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking—serve as a practical framework for civil servants tasked with complex, data‑driven decisions. Coupled with emotional intelligence, these traits help officials translate raw numbers into compelling narratives that resonate with stakeholders. In practice, this means encouraging staff to ask probing questions, experiment with low‑stakes AI tools, and collaborate across departments to craft solutions that are both innovative and grounded in reality. The emphasis on EQ acknowledges that 90‑99% of the workforce are not AI specialists, yet they can still become effective AI partners when supported by the right mindset.

The upcoming Qlik 2026 Public Sector Summit will operationalize these concepts, offering workshops, case studies, and peer‑learning sessions tailored to government challenges. Attendees will leave with concrete playbooks for integrating AI into legacy systems, measuring impact, and scaling literacy initiatives without overwhelming budgets. For agencies, the payoff is clear: faster decision cycles, improved service delivery, and a resilient workforce ready to navigate the evolving AI landscape.