The Obama administration pushed the use of digital technologies and data transparency to improve governance. Early indications are that the Trump administration’s approach will be very different.

The growing civic tech sector takes advantage of digital technologies and data transparency to improve government services and public engagement. During his time as deputy chief technology officer in the Obama White House, Chris Vein worked with the sector to help create integrated digital governance solutions that have been copied around the world.

Now the PwC Australia Partner for Global Government Digital Transformation, Vein spoke with AIIA Director of Communications Annabel McGilvray on the eve of the EU-Australia Leadership Forum’s recent digital development workshop. Their conversation covered the Obama administration’s commitment to data transparency, the importance of start-ups in the civic tech space, steps to ensure individual privacy and the prospects for civic tech in America under the Trump administration.

Chris Vein is partner for global government digital transformation at PwC Australia. In 2011-12, he was deputy chief technology officer in the Obama White House and then, in 2012-15, chief innovation officer with the World Bank.

Interviewed by AIIA Director of Communiciations Annabel McGilvray.