New report shows public-private sector partnerships help drive digital readiness and economic growth

Collaboration between the public and private sectors in driving innovation has never been more important. Today, a new independent annual report, published by Saïd Business School at the University of Oxford and the Portulans Institute, demonstrates how digital public-private partnerships are critical in driving digital readiness, fostering economic growth, and modernising public services.

The report, which Amazon Web Services (AWS) is supporting as a Knowledge Partner, provides a framework for assessing the impact of Information Communication & Technology (ICT) on society and the development of nations. It evaluates 133 economies based on 54 indicators across four dimensions of digital readiness – technology, people, governance, and impact.

Countries such as Singapore and the United States, who lead the overall Network Readiness Index (NRI) rankings this year, highlight how these partnerships can integrate advanced technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and internet of things (IoT) into essential areas such as healthcare, education, and governance.

“At AWS, we've witnessed first-hand the transformative power of partnerships between the public and private sector, and building a digital tomorrow requires not just technological advancements, but also a shared vision and commitment to global collaboration,” said Jeff Kratz, Vice President of Worldwide Public Sector Industry Sales at AWS. “By continuing to invest in these partnerships and fostering a global ecosystem of innovation, we can ensure that the benefits of digital transformation are realised by all, creating a more connected, efficient, and equitable world.”

Cloud computing has emerged as a cornerstone for these digital public-private partnerships, according to the report, with cloud service providers enabling governments to expand the capacity and reach of digital services and provide on-demand, scalable solutions across sectors. For example, the AWS GovTech Accelerator for start-ups is helping to address justice and public safety challenges, and earlier this year we announced the AWS Worldwide Public Sector Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) Impact Initiative, a two-year, $50 million commitment to help public sector organisations accelerate generative AI innovation.

The flexibility of cloud computing also allows for the rapid deployment of innovative technologies, like AI. However, a supportive policy environment and a strong bed of technology talent are critical to unlocking this potential. For the first time this year, the NRI has also included the scale of the public cloud computing industry as a key indicator for digital readiness. The United States secured the top spot for this new indicator, with the UK, Germany, France, Japan, Canada, and Australia among the top ten.

"Measuring cloud computing adoption is crucial to understanding digital transformation, as it provides insight into the infrastructure powering today’s digital economy,” said Soumitra Dutta, co-editor of NRI, Dean of Saïd Business School, University of Oxford. “Public cloud resources equip businesses and organizations with the flexibility and efficiency to drive innovation. By tracking the growth of the public cloud industry, we gain valuable insights into the pace and reach of digital transformation, revealing how cloud technologies are fuelling economic growth and advancing digital readiness across sectors. Cloud infrastructure plays a pivotal role in AI, providing the scalability needed for data-intensive AI processes and making advanced analytics accessible to more users and industries."

The report finds that leveraging cloud infrastructure allows governments to deploy essential services like e-governance, healthcare, and education, without heavy upfront investments. For instance, cloud service providers, like AWS, support telemedicine and remote learning, making critical services accessible even in remote areas. The flexibility of cloud computing also allows for the rapid deployment of innovative technologies, such as AI-driven analytics, supporting governments in delivering responsive, data-driven public services.

For example, NYU Langone Health and NVIDIA leveraged AWS to develop NYUMets, the world's largest longitudinal dataset of metastatic cancer. This ground-breaking work, made freely accessible through the AWS Open Data Sponsorship Programme, demonstrates how public-private cooperation can accelerate scientific research and improve healthcare outcomes globally.

Read more about The Network Readiness Index here.