Welcome to the mid-March issue of the Button Insight Newsletter!

The Big Story

Are you selecting the right AI approach for public service delivery?

As AI adoption accelerates across public institutions, leaders face critical decisions between proprietary and open-source solutions. Each approach offers distinct advantages: proprietary models provide sophisticated, ready-to-deploy capabilities with enterprise support, while open-source alternatives deliver enhanced data sovereignty, cost predictability, and customization potential.

Government decision-makers must evaluate these options through multiple lenses:

• Fiscal responsibility: Balancing initial implementation costs against long-term operational expenses

• Regulatory compliance: Ensuring alignment with data protection frameworks such as PIPEDA, FIPPA, and Law 25

• Operational capabilities: Assessing internal technical expertise and specific use case requirements

International case studies offer a window into successful implementation approaches and what’s possible in Canada.

The Netherlands' in-house AI social services system reduced administrative workload by 30%, while maintaining public trust. The UK's Algorithmic Transparency Recording Standard established accountability for automated decision-making. France's structured investment program has supported over 60 public sector AI projects since 2018.

For many institutions, a balanced approach may be optimal—using proprietary solutions for general applications while developing open-source capabilities for sensitive domains. Success depends on thorough use case assessment, strong data governance, and strategic capacity building within the public service.

Read the full story to test your AI readiness.

Your Event Calendar!

Mar. 19 | Toronto
The Future of Navigation: Improving Accessibility with Multi-Sensory Design
Join experts for a session on how multi-sensory design is shaping the future of navigation systems, especially for accessibility.
TIME: 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM EDT
PLACE: 2nd floor Auditorium, 550 University Ave
COST: Free
Event Details

Mar. 19 | Calgary
Agency: Leveraging AI to Accelerate Government Services
An event focused on how AI can be used to enhance government services. Explore how artificial intelligence is transforming public service delivery.
TIME: 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM MDT
PLACE: 407 9 Ave SE
COST: Free
Event Details

Mar. 20 | Vancouver
Town Hall on Doing Business with the Government of Canada - Vancouver
This town hall is an opportunity to learn how to navigate doing business with the Government of Canada, offering valuable insights for entrepreneurs and businesses.
TIME: 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM PDT
PLACE: Virtual
COST: Free
Event Details

Mar. 27 | Montreal
Montreal AI Week - Beyond the Buzz: The Overlooked Realities of AI
Dive deep into the challenges and lesser-discussed aspects of artificial intelligence, exploring its impact beyond the headlines.
TIME: 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM EDT
PLACE: Novisto (481 Avenue Viger Ouest Montreal)
COST: $42.50
Event Details

Community Engagement

Revolutionizing Retail: Designing the Foodys Online Shopping & Loyalty App

Discover how to design a digital service that stands out in the competitive retail space. In her latest piece, Victoria Riess, Founder & CEO of Riess Consulting, shares insights into the creation of the Foodys online shopping and loyalty app for food retail. With her expertise as a WomenTech Global Award winner and keynote speaker, she explores and shares the strategies behind successful digital service design.

Click here to read the full story!

Case Study

How Button helped transform the CleanBC Industrial Incentives Program’s Emissions Reporting

The CleanBC Industrial Incentives Program (CIIP) aims to encourage cleaner industrial operations by reducing carbon tax costs for facilities meeting top emissions benchmarks. However, the existing reporting system required six months of manual work, hindering efficiency and transparency.

Button redesigned and implemented a fully automated reporting system, cutting the process from six months to 30 minutes. This boosted data accuracy, government efficiency, and public access to emissions data.

Key Outcomes:

• Reduced reporting time from six months to 30 minutes

• Increased transparency and public trust

• Reduced human error through automated validation

• Enhanced decision-making with real-time data dashboards

Button’s streamlined system was implemented in just over a week and underwent thorough testing. As a bonus, it even won international recognition at COP26 for "Most Creative Climate Solution."

Dive into the full case study here.

Worth Your Attention

What We’re Reading: Co-Creation in Public Services for Innovation and Social Justice, by Sue Baines, Rob Wilson and Chris Fox

How can government institutions move from traditional consultation to meaningful co-creation? This new book examines real-world implementation across 10 jurisdictions, offering practical insights on balancing institutional requirements with collaborative innovation. Particularly valuable is its examination of how digital tools can enhance or hinder citizen participation. Learn how forward-thinking public sector leaders are navigating the "concrete-elasticity paradox" to deliver more responsive, inclusive services. Learn more and get the book here.

Further Reading

Stay on top of vital digital services news and tips by checking out insights from our previous newsletters!

BE MORE EMPATHETIC: A tale of technology and transformation in public services.

STREAMLINING FEATURE APPROVAL IN GOVERNMENT APPS: The Button secret for streamlining feature approvals for seamless, consistent user experiences across government applications.

AGILE SCALE SCRUM AND USER TESTING YOUR PRODUCT: How to emphasize working in cross-functional teams for clear communication, iterative development and flexible adaptation.

REKINDLING DIGITAL TRUST: Button helps our partners build digital trust with their citizens every day. Learn how with our video, blog and white-paper guides today!

🔥 THE NEWEST HOT BUTTON REPORT: Learn how to rebuild trust with your stakeholders. Download the full, free report now.

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