Government Technology examines how artificial intelligence is being integrated into various public sector organisations
The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) recently announced it plans to expand in both scope and size, bringing in experts in data, digital and artificial intelligence (AI).
DSIT said this will unite efforts in the digital transformation of public services under one department.
The move is planned to drive forward the digital changes needed to overhaul the British public’s experience of interacting with the government, so it becomes personalised, convenient, and timesaving – for example, by providing people with just one way to login and prove who they are so they can quickly access the government services they need.
It will also help remove roadblocks to sharing data across the public sector.
When it was announced, science secretary Peter Kyle said the government needs to lead by example in order for the UK to fully benefit from the social and economic potential of science and technology.
Kyle added: “DSIT is to become the centre for digital expertise and delivery in government, improving how the government and public services interact with citizens.”
“We will act as a leader and partner across government, with industry and the research communities, to boost Britain’s economic performance and power up our public services to improve the lives and life chances of people through the application of science and technology.”
This marks a massive shift towards digital investment and innovation, especially in terms of AI.
What action plans are in place?
In July, science secretary Peter Kyle appointed tech entrepreneur and chair of Advanced Research and Invention Agency (ARIA), Matt Clifford to lead work to discover untapped AI opportunities.
As well as exploring how to build a UK AI sector that can scale and compete on the global stage, the plan will also set out how to boost take up of the technology across all parts of the economy, and consider the necessary infrastructure, talent, and data access required to drive adoption by the public and private sectors.
Almost 100 projects have been awarded financial backing as the government continues its mission to boost productivity and kickstart growth across the economy through AI so everyone is better off.
A total of 98 projects will receive the funding, involving more than 200 businesses and research organisations spanning a range of sectors including public services, driving efficiencies and reducing administrative tasks.
Minister for digital government and AI Feryal Clark said: “AI will deliver real change for working people across the UK – not only growing our economy but improving our public services.
“That’s why our support for initiatives like this will be so crucial – backing a range of projects which could reduce train delays, give us new ways of maintaining our vital infrastructure, and improve experiences for patients by making it easier to get their prescriptions to them.
“We want technology to boost growth and deliver change right across the board, and I’m confident projects like these will help us realise that ambition.”
One of the projects to receive funding is V-Lab Ltd, which has been given £165,006 to further develop software powered by AI to help people train in the construction sector.
Responding to the Chancellor’s recent Autumn Budget, techUK CEO Julian David said: “To help businesses have the confidence to invest against this background of increased costs, the government must act fast and bring forward its plans for AI opportunities and the detail of the Industrial Strategy.”
Matt Clifford said: “AI presents us with so many opportunities to grow the economy and improve people’s lives.
“The UK is leading the way in many areas, but we can do even better.”
AI in healthcare
One of the public sector areas to receive a lot of focus in terms of implementing AI is healthcare AI can often be viewed through a lens of fear as there are worries it will take jobs away from people. However, the technology is already being implemented into the NHS and helping to improve productivity.
AI is being piloted in healthcare for tasks such as faster and more accurate diagnosis, a reduction of errors caused by human fatigue, assisting with or automate repetitive tasks, and decreasing costs.
In October this year, The AI Commission for Health and Social Care endorsed the AI and Digital Regulations Service (AIDRS) in Wales.
It aims to help prospective adopters and developers of AI navigate emerging technologies in health and social care. AIDRS has been jointly developed by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), the Care Quality Commission (CQC), the Health Research Authority (HRA), and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
Additions such as this encourage further incorporation of AI to help its NHS staff and patients.
The AI Commission will cooperate with NHS England and UK partners to support AIDRS in meeting the needs of service users in Wales.
While AI promises exciting developments in healthcare, concerns have been raised about who controls the data that is used for AI systems, and privacy issues of personal information.
AI in education
In August 2024, the government announced a new project that will enhance artificial intelligence’s ability to assist teachers in marking work and planning lessons.
The project, backed by £4 million of investment, will pool government
documents including curriculum guidance, lesson plans and anonymised pupil assessments which will then be used by AI companies to train their tools so they generate accurate lesson plans and workbooks, that can be reliably used in schools.
The content store is targeted at technology companies specialising in education to build tools which will help teachers mark work, create teaching materials for use in the classroom and assist with routine school admin.
Science secretary Peter Kyle said: “We know teachers work tirelessly to go above and beyond for their students. By making AI work for them, this project aims to ease admin burdens and help them deliver creative and inspiring lessons every day, while reducing time pressures they face.”
Saving time
A recent report from the Social Market Foundation has shown that artificial intelligence and automation are ideally suited to processing large datasets, sorting information, and identifying patterns. This means it could be of benefit to many of the tasks that public servants in user-facing roles currently spend hours managing.
In particular, the research looked at savings to be made at the Driving and Vehicle Licensing Authority, GP trusts, HMRC and DWP.
The research found that an estimated 8.12 million hours, or more than 4,300 working years, could be saved by deflecting or streamlining caseload at the DWP and HMRC by using AI and automation procedures.
As a result, the report recommends that the DSIT acts as the centre for digital innovation in government, providing a ‘one-stop shop’ for all public sector AI and automation needs. It says that the business case process for spending on AI and automation should be streamlined, and that the DSIT should be given control of a ‘transformation fund’ that it is able to disburse to projects.
Emerging technologies like artificial intelligence can drive greater efficiencies across the civil service. But there are hurdles to overcome to realise the full potential of these technologies - including technical, cultural and organisational challenges. The UK government has realised its importance and is investing in projects to create a public sector enhanced by AI.