Jason Kitcat @jasonkitcat.bsky.social · 22hPlease do blog about it as I'd like to send some people to read it as a case study 😊 000
Jason Kitcat @jasonkitcat.bsky.social · 06/10/2026It sucks, I'm sorry. 2 years ago our vendors decided to go away to France for a month without telling anyone in advance. Didn't reply to emails or calls while away. It was the month we thought we were completing. Sending you all good wishes and fingers crossed for a completion any day now 🤞🤞🤞 120
Jason Kitcat @jasonkitcat.bsky.social · 30/09/2026Lovely Council Spend Map exploring open data on local government spending. bentossell.com/council-spend/ Can't see big vendors like Microsoft or Google? Because they are bought through resellers e.g. Phoenix Software, Softcat or Insight (via always great @densediscovery.bsky.social)bentossell.comCouncil Spend MapA visual map and database of published payment data from English councils categorized by supplier and year. 020
Jason Kitcat @jasonkitcat.bsky.social · 28/09/2026Cracking post from the team “The fastest way to improve policy is to build it” - delivering value every day digitaltrade.blog.gov.uk/2026/09/28/t...digitaltrade.blog.gov.ukThe fastest way to improve policy is to build itBuilding the BICS eligibility checker taught us that testable delivery can actually help shape policy decisions, not just implement them. Here's what we learned. 020
Jason Kitcat @jasonkitcat.bsky.social · 28/09/2026Delighted to share the evaluation report of our AI tool Redbox@DBT (now snappily renamed to BIST Assist!) - as public servants it's so important that we share our work and learning in the open www.gov.uk/government/p...gov.ukRedbox@DBT trial: evaluation reportAn evaluation of the Redbox@DBT trial by the Department for Business and Trade (DBT), which took place from December 2024 to March 2025. 020
Reposted by Jason KitcatEd Maibach @maibached.bsky.social · 25/09/2026Happy Stanislav Petrov Day He passed in 2017. As Encyclopedia Britannica puts it, “He is survived by his two children, two grandchildren, and the entire human race.” If you don't know his story, please take 3 minutes now to learn it. @gchalliance.bsky.social @docsforclimate.bsky.socialsammatey.substack.comHappy Stanislav Petrov DayTake five minutes to not destroy civilization 252124938
Jason Kitcat @jasonkitcat.bsky.social · 24/09/2026It’s really hard dealing with thousands of GOV.UK pages to update with stretched teams. At least www.gov.uk/dsit shows direction of travel. We will get there.gov.ukDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyAccelerate innovation, investment and productivity through world-class science, ensure that new and existing technologies are safely developed and deployed across the UK and drive forward a modern dig... 010
Jason Kitcat @jasonkitcat.bsky.social · 21/09/2026We've been experimenting with using AI to make it easier to query our complex graph databases, read more in our latest post digitaltrade.blog.gov.uk/2026/09/09/m...digitaltrade.blog.gov.ukMaking graph databases more accessible with AIWhat if analysts could query graph databases using plain English? This experiment tested AI-assisted querying, uncovering practical benefits, challenges and considerations for future adoption across g... 000
Jason Kitcat @jasonkitcat.bsky.social · 02/09/2026At BIST we've been using machine learning in building our Business Finder, an internal product to help our advisors focus on the companies most likely to benefit from our support. digitaltrade.blog.gov.uk/2026/08/26/b...digitaltrade.blog.gov.ukBuilding technology with purpose: how we developed Business FinderRead about how our new Business Finder tool makes valuable data useable so that advisers can effectively find and support potential exporters more consistently. 010
Jason Kitcat @jasonkitcat.bsky.social · 05/08/2026Except reliability, which is improving, but v slowly hal.cs.princeton.edu/reliability/hal.cs.princeton.eduHAL Reliability EvaluationAccuracy isn't enough. We evaluate AI agents on reliability — consistency, predictability, robustness, safety, and self-awareness. 131
Jason Kitcat @jasonkitcat.bsky.social · 27/07/2026Can confirm a rich internal Bisto discourse this past week 130
Jason Kitcat @jasonkitcat.bsky.social · 27/07/2026We're keeping on with learning and evaluating how to make best use of AI in public services. Here's my latest thoughts and provisional conclusions jasonkitcat.com/2026/07/26/m...jasonkitcat.comMore thoughts on AIIt has been about 5 months since I last blogged on AI and so much has happened, there is a lot to ponder and learn. In my specific context, which is relatively low volume but high complexity work (… 011
Jason Kitcat @jasonkitcat.bsky.social · 23/07/2026static.klipy.comNoice Nice Meme ReactionAlt: Noice Nice Meme Reaction of Michael Rosen 000
Jason Kitcat @jasonkitcat.bsky.social · 23/07/2026Lovely post from Rainbow in our team, reflecting on their journey delivering Digital & Agile Basics training "What I learned when I started teaching agile" digitaltrade.blog.gov.uk/2026/07/22/w...digitaltrade.blog.gov.ukWhat I learned when I started teaching agileA chance to teach agile became an opportunity for personal growth. Through support, training and practical experience, I discovered new strengths and gained confidence to explore future career possibi... 000
Jason Kitcat @jasonkitcat.bsky.social · 14/07/2026It is odd isn't it? Is it an unintended consequence of comparison sites? Vendors have to undercut competition to get to the top on comparisons, but it's not sustainable so they hike up prices year 2+ in the hope some stay to recoup true costs. 010
Jason Kitcat @jasonkitcat.bsky.social · 01/07/2026Amazing. What a run. Been great to see from the distant side lines. 110
Jason Kitcat @jasonkitcat.bsky.social · 24/06/2026In today's post we share more about how we built and evolved 'Ask DBT' our internal AI tool for staff to access key policies and guidance around working for the department. We chose to build most of the tool in-house to reduce costs, find out more digitaltrade.blog.gov.uk/2026/06/24/i...digitaltrade.blog.gov.ukIntroducing Ask DBT: Our new AI tool for making sense of the intranetHow we built a tool that gives colleagues from across DBT a way to ask questions in plain English and get clear, trusted answers drawn entirely from intranet content. 021
Jason Kitcat @jasonkitcat.bsky.social · 09/06/2026Wow, congrats, richly deserved. That's been a proper shift. And I suspect you will continue to contribute to our collective ambition to make a difference! 120
Jason Kitcat @jasonkitcat.bsky.social · 29/05/2026I think that is covered in points 5, 6 and 7 in the blog post? But yes you are right and we did lots of content work on HR content before we even began to explore AI options, and continue to iterate the content & information architecture. 110
Jason Kitcat @jasonkitcat.bsky.social · 29/05/2026We've been running our AI cubed model (AI lab, factory & operations) for more than a year now in Department for Business and Trade. In this post, Anthony Love shares 10 things we've learned running our AI experiments touching on ethics, sandboxes and more digitaltrade.blog.gov.uk/2026/05/27/1...digitaltrade.blog.gov.uk10 things we learned running rapid AI experimentsRead about what DBT's AI teams learned as they ran rapid AI experiments to improve ways of working across the department. 131
Jason Kitcat @jasonkitcat.bsky.social · 20/05/2026I’ve weaned myself off Google search to use Kagi. Yes it is $5 a month, but it’s no nonsense. I agree there’s a strong case for public good infrastructure in this space. Until then Kagi is great! 010
Jason Kitcat @jasonkitcat.bsky.social · 14/05/2026We implemented one of the first uses of MCP in government, connecting our DBT Assist AI tool with our CRM to help automate and improve how briefings on companies are produced. Read more from the team on how they did it safely and securely digitaltrade.blog.gov.uk/2026/05/14/u...digitaltrade.blog.gov.ukUsing single sign-on and MCP to safely connect AI to live government dataThe DBT Assist team shares how they safely connected DBT’s AI tools to live customer relationship management data, overcoming a common challenge faced across government. By leveraging existing single ... 010
Jason Kitcat @jasonkitcat.bsky.social · 13/05/2026Super interesting discussion on interoception - how comfort & convenience may undermine our development in understanding our body’s signals stevemagness.substack.com/p/the-hidden...stevemagness.substack.comThe Hidden Cost of ComfortWe Padded the World And Nobody Can Feel Anything Anymore 000
Jason Kitcat @jasonkitcat.bsky.social · 13/05/2026😱 Or make it a lovely surprise, and just keep going… 🙏 100
Jason Kitcat @jasonkitcat.bsky.social · 12/05/2026We recently wrapped up our annual Data Challenge in DBT, which is a great opportunity to encourage collaboration and innovation across the department. Read more about how we run it, and what we did this year digitaltrade.blog.gov.uk/2026/05/12/d...digitaltrade.blog.gov.ukDBT Data Challenge 2026: From ideas to impactHow DBT colleagues with all levels of experience turned simple ideas into working prototypes within a week, demonstrating the energy and creativity within Digital, Data and Technology. 000
Jason Kitcat @jasonkitcat.bsky.social · 05/05/2026Here's a case study in how our work attracting talent to the UK was reviewed to improve the online journeys as part of our quarterly Firebreak week digitaltrade.blog.gov.uk/2026/05/05/b...digitaltrade.blog.gov.ukBritain Gets Talent: Fixing a fragmented offer to attract global talentHow might a clearer, more joined‑up digital experience help attract and reassure global talent choosing the UK? 000
Jason Kitcat @jasonkitcat.bsky.social · 28/04/2026For the last few years teams across DBT & gov collaborated on the Global Supply Chains Intelligence Programme. We used cutting-edge technology, analysis & data to bring insight into how supply chains connect our economy: digitaltrade.blog.gov.uk/2026/04/28/g...digitaltrade.blog.gov.ukGlobal Supply Chains Intelligence Programme: an AI-enabled big data analytical platform for governmentThe Global Supply Chains Intelligence Programme (GSCIP) team has won the Analysis in Government Impact Award for informing major policy decisions, improving operational outcomes and driving analytical... 000
Jason Kitcat @jasonkitcat.bsky.social · 20/04/2026Our content team at Dept Business & Trade are doing fantastic work thinking deeply about what it means when AI is the primary source of information for citizens. Read more about how we're preventing AI misinformation digitaltrade.blog.gov.uk/2026/04/20/h...digitaltrade.blog.gov.ukHow we’re preventing AI misinformation at DBTAt the Department for Business and Trade (DBT), we are proactively building a content lifecycle that guards against AI providing the public with incorrect government information. 000
Jason Kitcat @jasonkitcat.bsky.social · 24/03/2026User research on how businesses experience government support is key to how we develop the Digital Business Growth Service, read more about how we do it from our lead user researcher digitaltrade.blog.gov.uk/2026/03/24/h...digitaltrade.blog.gov.ukHow we’re making strategic decisions based on the needs of businessesFind out what we have learned as we take a more strategic view of user research insights to improve decision making and support businesses more meaningfully. 022
Jason Kitcat @jasonkitcat.bsky.social · 12/03/2026I’ve been refreshing my memory and getting Essex to adopt the Service Standard was a big win for us in this space essexdigitalservice.blog.essex.gov.uk/2018/03/19/h...essexdigitalservice.blog.essex.gov.ukHello world - come work with us! - Essex County Council's Essex Digital Service 030
Jason Kitcat @jasonkitcat.bsky.social · 11/03/2026I was at Essex 2017-19 and we just said "GDS do it, so it's ok for us too" and didn't ask for specific permission. Officials already understood being party political wasn't allowed, so guardrails were there. I think press office got jittery maybe once but we managed it! 140
Jason Kitcat @jasonkitcat.bsky.social · 11/03/2026Delighted to share our experiences running a multi-disciplinary co-lab to help develop DBT's Business Growth Service, more in the post: digitaltrade.blog.gov.uk/2026/03/11/s...digitaltrade.blog.gov.ukStrengthening business support through user-centred, evidence-led collaborationHow our Digital, Data and Technology team's first Co-Lab collaborated with policy and Local Business Support teams across DBT to make policy and services more user-centred and effective. 001
Jason Kitcat @jasonkitcat.bsky.social · 04/03/2026Well this is lovely - Haruki Murakami and Harry Styles in conversation about running (News+ link) apple.news/ABXj0KVisTzK...apple.newsThere Are Few Things Harry Styles Has to Himself. Running Is One of Them. — Runner’s WorldThe global pop superstar chats with legendary author and fellow marathoner Haruki Murakami on the sublime simplicity of running—and how it nourishes the creative life. 000
Jason Kitcat @jasonkitcat.bsky.social · 03/03/2026Lovely post on Flickr's URL structures unsung.aresluna.org/unsung-heroe... - I absolutely adored how Flickr was built and worked hard to emulate it. Cal Henderson ran a brilliant workshop sharing more of their engineering process for scaling, which became essential for managing growth at Netmumsunsung.aresluna.orgUnsung heroes: Flickr’s URLs scheme – UnsungA blog about software craft and quality 210
Jason Kitcat @jasonkitcat.bsky.social · 03/03/2026Yes! Hence the need to keep experimenting and sharing our learnings, which will help ground our understanding further. 020
Jason Kitcat @jasonkitcat.bsky.social · 03/03/2026Tracey Wilson writes about how Department for Business and Trade are working on improving our published content in a world of AI summaries. digitaltrade.blog.gov.uk/2026/03/03/c...digitaltrade.blog.gov.ukContent isn’t static: what I learned about content ownership in the world of AI summariesWe reviewed a number of Department for Business and Trade (DBT) tagged pages flagged for review to confirm ownership and decide next action: update or retire. Without clear ownership and ongoing stewa... 011
Jason Kitcat @jasonkitcat.bsky.social · 02/03/2026More pondering on AI as I wrangle with what it means for public servants... Here's where I've got to so far: There is a useful path to take between hype and doom. It's time to keep experimenting and learning as nobody knows what the future will bring. jasonkitcat.com/2026/03/02/s...jasonkitcat.comSome thoughts on AI“Anyone who tries to tell us they know the future is simply trying to own it.” — Margaret Heffernan in her introduction to Uncharted Take a deep breath. Nobody knows what is going to happen with AI… 1145
Reposted by Jason Kitcatmia ridge @miaout.bsky.social · 26/02/2026A nice piece of work: Towards a science of AI agent reliability AI 'reliability lags capability, and that reliability will remain a barrier to deployment unless researchers and developers focus effort on improving reliability as a separate dimension from accuracy' www.normaltech.ai/p/new-paper-...normaltech.aiNew Paper: Towards a science of AI agent reliabilityQuantifying the capability-reliability gap 242
Jason Kitcat @jasonkitcat.bsky.social · 25/02/2026I fear many do not understand that AI search does not provide results in the way standard searches do. Broken mental models alert🚨 theshamblog.com/an-ai-agent-...theshamblog.comAn AI Agent Published a Hit Piece on Me – Forensics and More FalloutContext: An AI agent of unknown ownership autonomously wrote and published a personalized hit piece about me after I rejected its code, attempting to damage my reputation and shame me into acceptin… 000
Jason Kitcat @jasonkitcat.bsky.social · 25/02/2026We can’t be sure an AI “ClawBot” did post a nasty blog post when their code was rejected, but an ArsTechnica journalist did use AI hallucinated quotes when reporting the story…. 100
Jason Kitcat @jasonkitcat.bsky.social · 23/02/2026Totally agree this is a big risk. I was in a session with big consultants showing me how agents would do all sorts of clever things with our suppliers & stakeholders. Yet they were assuming they wouldn’t also be pointing agents at our services. Spam and race conditions beckon… 050
Jason Kitcat @jasonkitcat.bsky.social · 17/02/2026It's so easy to fall into a "build it and they will come" mindset when creating digital products & services. We work to overcome this with our wonderful Engagement & Strategic Adoption team, here are reflections on how we've boosted adoption of our CRM tool digitaltrade.blog.gov.uk/2026/02/17/d...digitaltrade.blog.gov.ukDriving success through digital adoptionDigital adoption is about people. Our work on Data Hub shows that change is a process, and through collaboration and support teams can embrace tools that help improve workflows, strengthen business en... 010
Jason Kitcat @jasonkitcat.bsky.social · 17/02/2026Nostalgia alert - illustrated catalogue of Walkman models (not just Sony ones) walkman.land via @densediscovery.bsky.socialwalkman.landWalkman.landThe most complete portable pocket audio cassette player database. WML is a tribute to the Walkmans. 010
Jason Kitcat @jasonkitcat.bsky.social · 12/02/2026We have long championed the importance of monitoring & evaluation in digital teams, so we're delighted to have succeeded in getting 'digital evaluator' added as a role in the UK Govt Digital & Data framework digitaltrade.blog.gov.uk/2026/02/12/a...digitaltrade.blog.gov.ukA new evaluator role to support modern digital governmentDiscover the new Digital Evaluator role! Learn how it ensures accountability, value for money, and continuous improvement in UK government digital projects. 041
Jason Kitcat @jasonkitcat.bsky.social · 09/02/2026Every quarter we encourage our DDaT teams to pause & take part in a Firebreak week. It's a way to encourage us to work on challenges in new ways, with a different mix of colleagues. I think it's a core ingredient to sustaining and encouraging innovation digitaltrade.blog.gov.uk/2026/02/09/h...digitaltrade.blog.gov.ukHow breaking the routine fuels fresh ideas and delivers valueEvery 3 months, DBT Digital, Data and Technology colleagues are free to pause routine work to test fresh ideas. They gain insight, build skills and deliver improvements for colleagues, the public and ... 040
Reposted by Jason KitcatErika Hall @erikahall.bsky.social · 05/02/2026I'm going to share a very good story about the internet. I won't tell it well because I apparently have the flu, but I think we all need a good story about the internet. It starts in 2021, when I took a sabbatical and got a little workspace to write a design book. 412640