Driving Social Value in the Age of AI – Innovation with Purpose
Senior leaders from policy, industry, and public service gathered at the Household Cavalry Museum for “Driving Social Value in the Age of AI,” a roundtable hosted by global digital services provider TP. The discussion focused on how AI can enhance public service delivery while maintaining a strong social purpose.
Opening the session, Rt Hon Justine Greening, former UK Cabinet Minister and Chair of the Purpose Coalition, underscored the need for innovation that serves people:
“As AI reshapes government and public services, it must not come at the expense of social value.”
She pointed to Teleperformance’s Social Impact Report as a model of aligning business operations with broader societal goals:
“By breaking down barriers and creating opportunity, Teleperformance is helping build a more inclusive society,” she said, urging other employers to adopt similar cross-sector approaches.
The roundtable explored key questions:
What does social value look like in an AI-driven world?
How can technology enhance – not replace – human connection?
Attendees discussed strategies such as inclusive hiring, cross-sector partnerships, and digital enablement to ensure AI opens, rather than restricts, opportunity.
Steve Foster, People Director at Southeastern Railway, shared how AI is improving services while supporting staff. He highlighted initiatives like installing LiDAR sensors on maintenance trains to build 3D models of platforms. These insights guide train upgrades to enhance unassisted boarding for all passengers.
“AI helps our people deliver better service – it doesn’t replace them,” he emphasised.
Foster also discussed inclusive workforce development. Southeastern trains employees to work alongside AI and partners with organisations like the King’s Trust and the Purpose Coalition’s Purpose Lab to recruit talent from underrepresented communities:
“Innovation and inclusion must go hand-in-hand,” he said.
Nicole Greer, VP of Digital Products & Solutions at TP, spoke about deploying human-centric AI in public services.
“AI is a tool to enhance, not replace, human capability,” she said.
TP’s approach prioritises user-friendly design, smooth transitions from chatbots to human agents, and technology that empowers citizens and employees alike.
A recurring theme was the importance of cross-sector collaboration. Greening and Greer agreed that partnerships between government and business are essential to ensuring ethical, inclusive AI. TP's initiatives, including skills development and customer service improvements, were cited as examples of meaningful private-public cooperation.
Attendees concluded that delivering social value in the AI era requires continued dialogue and collaboration. The clear takeaway: innovation and social purpose must progress together.
By investing in people and working across sectors, organisations can ensure AI strengthens – rather than fragments – public services.
“It’s about progress with purpose,” said Greening, capturing the event’s central message.
