An interview with Nijma Khan

Could you outline your career path so far?

My career has been driven by a single purpose: to use technology for positive social impact. 

I’ve worked in consulting for my whole career. I started out on a tech implementation project for the Department for Work and Pensions, helping to embed new, more innovative approaches to how the organisation delivered its critical mission. I’ve had the privilege of working with organisations like the World Economic Forum, the World Business Council for Sustainable Development and the United Nations. Helping them to understand the impact of technology on society and the role of business in delivering sustainable development goals. 

I also led a cutting-edge project focused on the impact of automation on learning and work, as well as the practical application of AI and emerging technologies for social good. 

So the intersection of technology and social impact has always been a feature of my career and that’s why joining Faculty was a very natural next step to take. 

I joined in 2021 and have had the privilege of leading Faculty's work as data science partner to organisations including the UK Home Office, the National Crime Agency; established the UK's Counter Disinformation Platform; and delivered numerous engagements to detect synthetic media for the UK and International Governments. These experiences have really allowed me to focus on the effective and safe application of AI in public services.

What motivated you to focus your career on public services?

My motivation stems from immigrating to the UK and growing up as a working-class kid in the West Midlands. My family relied on public services and a strong community to survive and eventually thrive. So from an early age I have a deep-seated belief in the power of public services to shape a more equitable and efficient society. I was drawn to the sheer scale of impact that the Government can have. The ability to contribute to initiatives that affect millions of lives.

At Faculty, we talk about using frontier AI for the frontlines – and in so many ways, the public sector is the ultimate frontline. It’s where AI meets the most pressing challenges, from healthcare and national security to social services. If you want to build technology that truly matters, this is the arena.

How do you see AI changing public services in the near future?

AI is poised to transform public services, moving beyond incremental improvements to create significant leaps in how governments operate and deliver value to citizens. 

One of the most impactful changes will be a dramatic improvement in efficiency and effectiveness. With government budgets often tight, AI will help provide new ways to unlock capital that can be reinvested into improving services. It will achieve this by enabling the redesign of administrative processes, freeing up valuable human resources to focus on complex, nuanced cases that require empathy and critical judgment. 

Beyond efficiency, AI will also bring in an era of more personalised services. For example, it will allow public support to be precisely tailored to each child through a personalised tutor. Or it will provide every citizen walking around with their very own virtual GP in their pocket. 

AI will become increasingly embedded in our daily lives, influencing everything from how children learn to how our streets are policed.

What are the primary challenges that public services face as they try to innovate with AI responsibly and ethically?

If we look at the UK specifically, like any other part of the economy there are lots of challenges, from access to data to public procurement rules. If I was to pinpoint one, I’d say execution. Like many governments around the world, the UK needs to move from ambition to real delivery at scale and make the leap to spend money to save money.

The journey to responsible AI innovation in public services is also fraught with critical challenges around data governance and privacy, ensuring algorithmic bias is mitigated, and building public trust and transparency. Choosing the right partners for the government is really important to unlocking value. These days everyone says they’re an AI company. But there are only a few companies with a proven track record of delivering effective and safe AI solutions in the public sector.

What has been your favourite project that you have worked on at Faculty?

For me, it has to be all the work we have done – and continue to do – on applying AI to keep children safe. From supporting child abuse investigations to detecting indecent material online, these projects make a real difference to vulnerable lives. We’ve been able to blend cutting-edge ML to help support the specific needs of frontline workers who work tirelessly to safeguard children. As a mother and a technology professional, this work means a lot to me, and I’m so proud to be part of it.

If you could have dinner with one person from the past or present who would it be?

If I could have dinner with one person from the past or present, it would undoubtedly be Cleopatra. While Roman narratives and cinematic portrayals have often reduced her to a one-dimensional seductress, Cleopatra was, in reality, one of history's most formidable female leaders. 

Her remarkable intellect and strategic prowess are what truly intrigue me. She reportedly spoke nine languages, including Egyptian, Greek, and Latin, demonstrating an extraordinary ambition to connect with the diverse peoples of her kingdom – a skill that resonates deeply with leading a large, multi-faceted AI team.

Her firsthand experience as a shrewd political strategist, navigating the complexities of the Roman Empire's rise and relentlessly striving to preserve Egypt's independence, would offer gripping insights into high-stakes leadership and diplomacy. And then beyond her political acumen, her role as a cultured and intellectual ruler presiding over Alexandria's vibrant court, coupled with her dramatic alliances and betrayals, promises an unforgettable evening of conversation about leadership, power, and resilience.