From CDs and Paper Files to AI and Drones: Inside An Garda Síochána’s Digital Transformation

An Garda Síochána is replacing paper files, ageing technology and fragmented information with mobile devices, body-worn cameras, drones and carefully governed AI.

But transforming one of Ireland’s largest and most complex public services is not simply a technology project. It means changing how thousands of Gardaí work — while protecting public trust, individual rights and the judgement of the officer on the ground.

In this episode of Transform Gov, Maeve Kneafsey goes straight to the source: Assistant Commissioner Angela Willis, strategic lead for organised and serious crime at An Garda Síochána and a Garda officer with more than 30 years’ frontline experience.

Angela explains:

How information-led policing gives Gardaí vital context — including previous incidents, firearms risks and court orders — before they arrive at a callWhat happened at Dublin protests when body-worn cameras were introduced, and why behaviour appeared to change almost overnightWhy An Garda Síochána is replacing an interview-recording system that rely on CDs that are no longer being manufacturedHow frontline feedback forced the team to rethink and improve a major national investigation system during its rolloutWhere drones and AI could help Gardaí work faster and more safely — and where human judgement must remain firmly in controlWhy the hardest part of digital transformation is rarely the technology; it is earning the confidence of the people expected to use it

This is a candid and highly practical conversation about modernising a high-stakes public service without losing sight of the Gardaí doing the work — or the people they serve.

🎧Transform Gov is part of the Ireland eGovernment Awards and is brought to you in partnership with Accenture.

📅The Ireland eGovernment Awards and Leadership Summit take place on 24 September 2026 at O’Reilly Hall, UCD. Find out more at digitalgovawards.com.

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