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Advanced Cloud Transparency Services

ACTS in Action

Your go-to source for news and information about Microsoft ACTS and our work around the world.
OECD 2024 logo

Microsoft teams up with world leaders at the 2024 OECD Global Anti-Corruption and Integrity Forum

"I was pleased to join leaders from around the world at the OECD Global Anti-Corruption and Integrity Forum, which focused on how efforts to uphold integrity and strengthen frameworks against corruption risks are more important than ever." said Becky Lenaburg, Microsoft Vice President and Deputy General Counsel.

The two-day event in Paris reinforced the importance of public-private partnerships in sessions which explored joint approaches to combating corruption, including the use of data analytics and innovative AI and cloud based technology.

Carlos Pimentel

Red traffic light for corruption: the Dominican Republic’s open data, collaboration, and institutional strengthening strategy

When Carlos Pimentel became head of the Dominican Republic’s public procurement agency, Dirección General de Contrataciones Públicas (DGCP), three years ago, public procurement lacked public trust and credibility due to several high-level corruption scandals and hundreds of open complaints and allegations.
Using data to improve integrity is part of a three-pronged approach to making improvements. A major element of that is a business intelligence tool developed in a collaboration between Microsoft ACTS and Open Contracting Partnership (OCP) that identifies risk signals.

Microsoft and KPMG unite to lead professional services with AI

Microsoft and KPMG have announced a landmark expansion of our global relationship that aims to revolutionize client experiences and streamline operations using cutting-edge AI technologies across several business-critical areas. Microsoft ACTS, our Advanced Cloud Transparency Services initiative, works with KPMG in multiple global locations, and we’re proud to continue to partner with KPMG. Together, we’re helping to shape the future of professional services and set new standards for AI-driven transformation.
Open Gov Week

Microsoft ACTS leadership participates in Open Gov Week

In support of Open Government Week 2023, Mastercard hosted a global event concerning community empowerment through government transparency.

During the webinar, leading public procurement officials, policy experts, and private sector innovators gathered to share and exchange ideas. Amongst the speakers, the Office of Federal Procurement Policy discussed the White House’s 5th Open Government National Action Plan for providing more access to federal procurement data.

Microsoft ACTS Program Director Norman Hodne explained how technology can reduce risk and that through public-private partnership, we can combine our respective expertise.

GovTech Global forum

Microsoft helps innovate at GovTech Global Forum

On May 3rd and 4th, 2023, the GovTech Global Forum in Washington, D.C., brought global innovators and practitioners together to exchange ideas about digital transformation within the public sector.

The forum’s theme was “Governance in the Digital Era.” We were honored that the event’s hosts, the World Bank’s Governance Global Practice, invited Microsoft ACTS Program Director Norman Hodne to participate in the discussion.

Hodne and a panel of peers explored ways to engage stakeholders from governments, the private sector, academia, and civil society. You can watch the session here. 

Andrew Cooke

Creating a Successful Digital Transformation Strategy

Microsoft’s mission is to “empower every person and organization on the planet to achieve more.” At Microsoft ACTS, we take that mission to heart with digital technology solutions that help governments curb corruption and meet the needs of their citizenry. 

So, what exactly are the most impactful public-sector technologies? Which policies and practices are available today, and where are we headed tomorrow? Andrew Cooke, global policy lead for the Worldwide Public Sector at Microsoft, answers these questions and more in his insightful blog about helping governments build a successful digital transformation strategy.

He bases his thoughts on a recent The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) report that engaged with governments to develop a view of the public-sector landscape. Cooke’s perspective speaks volumes about public-private collaboration, emphasizing many points of the ACTS initiative and our aspirations.

IDSP

Microsoft joins as founding member of the Industry Data for Society Partnership

Microsoft understands the value of open data and data collaboration. That’s why our Open Data Campaign led the effort for Microsoft to become a founding member of the Industry Data for Society Partnership (IDSP). This first-of-its-kind, cross-industry alliance devotes itself to making private sector data more open and available for societal good. At Microsoft ACTS, we focus on similar themes, the goal being to empower governments by helping them become more transparent and use their data more effectively. We look forward to seeing what the IDSP does to advance this open data mission for the betterment of society.
Daniel Korn and Kimerly Breier

What modern diplomacy teaches us about business

Microsoft ACTS depends on our team’s ability to work with people and governments around the world. Writing in the University of Miami Inter-American Law Review, Kimberly Breier, former US Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs, and Daniel Korn, a Microsoft Director of Corporate Affairs, Latin America who represents ACTS, explore how both modern diplomacy and corporate government affairs have evolved into a model of being present that empowers local communities.
Intelligent Automation: the impact of artificial intelligence and emerging technologies on the US Federal Procurement System

How technology is revolutionizing government procurement: Microsoft ACTS joins the discussion in a GW Law program webinar

“Transparency (in procurement) is the first place Microsoft ACTS is going to look for applications of technology,” says Christopher Nelson, Assistant General Counsel of Compliance Analytics for Microsoft’s Corporate, External and Legal Affairs (CELA), during a webinar organized by the George Washington Law Government Procurement Law Program on how technology is revolutionizing procurement processes.

The webinar, part two of a three-part series, was focused on how industry is using intelligent automation solutions designed to increase compliance, improve customer experience, secure supply chains, and gain valuable insight from real-time data to enhance decision-making.

Photo of a Nigeria skyline

Collaboration between Microsoft ACTS and Nigerian government drives anti-corruption efforts

Microsoft’s technology is now supporting several digital transformation initiatives with the Government of Nigeria, including the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning to identify and reduce corruption. 

Microsoft, in partnership with agencies like Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, brings cloud-based tools to bear in the fight for transparency and honest government.