Oracle CTO Larry Ellison Calls For Unified National Data In Sovereign Data Centres To Enhance Government Services

At the World Governments Summit (WGS), former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair and Oracle's Co-founder Larry Ellison discussed how technology can transform government operations. Their conversation focused on improving citizen services and addressing the impacts of modern technological advancements. The session, titled "Reimagining Technology for Government," took place on the summit's second day.

Larry Ellison emphasised the need to consolidate national data into a single platform. He explained that fragmented data hinders AI models' ability to process information effectively. "Data is often fragmented and not easily accessible by current AI models. We have to move it all into a single, unified data platform. That’s the missing link—we need to unify all national data and put it in a database that is easily consumed by the AI model," said Ellison.

Ellison compared the necessity of centralised data centres to crucial infrastructure like airports and ports. He stressed that these centres must be sovereign due to privacy concerns, requiring secure facilities in each country. He praised the UAE for its rich data resources and urged unifying this data to revolutionise government functions and services.

Discussing AI's potential in government, Ellison noted its capacity to optimise social services, reduce costs, and improve public health. "Integration of AI will optimize a variety of social services, save the government vast amounts of money, and enhance the health of entire populations," he stated.

Ellison highlighted that comprehensive data is essential for AI models to predict outcomes accurately. For agriculture, this involves providing detailed information about farms, utilities, borders, and climate conditions. To enhance population health, healthcare records and genomic data are necessary inputs.

Scientific Advancements and Economic Impact

The advancement of science brings notable social and economic effects. Ellison mentioned efforts to develop new rice and maize varieties that don't require fertilisers—beneficial for countries unable to afford them. These innovations could lower costs, boost yields, and strengthen global food security.

"Open AI has shown us that the level of artificial intelligence that has been achieved will only advance human thinking. AI will fundamentally change our lives in medicine, in robotics, and in agriculture across the board," said Ellison.

Summit Highlights

This year's WGS theme is 'Shaping Future Governments.' It gathers over 30 heads of state, more than 80 international organisations, 140 government delegations, and features 21 global forums on future trends. The event includes over 200 interactive sessions with more than 300 speakers such as presidents, ministers, experts, thought leaders, and decision-makers.

The summit runs until 13th February with plans to release 30 strategic reports alongside international knowledge partners. Over 30 ministerial meetings and roundtables will also take place with participation from more than 400 ministers.

With inputs from WAM