Recommendations & Conclusions
8 items
4
Conclusion
18th Report - Use of AI in Government
Acknowledged
DSIT has no systematic mechanism for bringing together learning from pilots and there are few examples of successful at–scale adoption across government. At the time of the NAO report (March 2024), levels of AI use in government were low, but 70% of surveyed government bodies were piloting or planning AI …
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DSIT has no systematic mechanism for bringing together learning from pilots and there are few examples of successful at–scale adoption across government. At the time of the NAO report (March 2024), levels of AI use in government were low, but 70% of surveyed government bodies were piloting or planning AI tools. Examples of pilot activity include use of AI to analyse digital images to identify and classify objects, use of natural language processing to summarise or draft text, and use of AI to assess trends and patterns and monitor live data. More recently i.AI has developed a suite of tools to support civil servants with tasks including minute taking and analysis of consultation responses. However, there is so far little evidence of successful adoption at scale. To grasp the opportunities of AI, government must learn from these pilots, identify the most promising examples, and where appropriate, help drive adoption at scale so the whole of the public sector can take advantage. However, there is no systematic mechanism for bringing together the learning from all the pilot activity across government and disseminating it. We welcome the recent publication of the Evaluation Taskforce’s guidance for evaluating the impact of AI tools, and DSIT’s commitment to piloting an AI Knowledge Hub to bring together good practice and learning in one place. However, without concerted effort and leadership from DSIT, government risks duplication of effort and cost from siloed pilot activity. recommendation To learn from AI pilots and support the scaling of the most promising use cases DSIT should: a. set up a mechanism for systematically gathering and disseminating intelligence on pilots and their evaluation b. Set out how it will identify common and scalable AI products and support their development and roll–out at scale 6
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Government response AI summary
The government agrees but states a proposal is currently being developed within the Public Sector AI Adoption programme, which will define scope, secure funding, and build a minimal viable product for a mechanism to scale AI initiatives.
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HM Treasury
6
Conclusion
18th Report - Use of AI in Government
Acknowledged
Realising the benefits of AI across the public sector will require strong leadership from DSIT. Addressing the skills shortage, tackling the persistent issues with poor data quality and out–of–date technology, and providing the support and guardrails the public sector needs to build public trust and adopt AI safely and responsibly …
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Realising the benefits of AI across the public sector will require strong leadership from DSIT. Addressing the skills shortage, tackling the persistent issues with poor data quality and out–of–date technology, and providing the support and guardrails the public sector needs to build public trust and adopt AI safely and responsibly all require a clear strategy and strong leadership. In its report, the NAO raised concerns about unclear accountabilities and limited integration of governance across Cabinet 7 Office—which was primarily responsible for AI adoption in the public sector, through CDDO, i.AI and the Government Digital Service (GDS)— and DSIT, which held responsibility for wider AI policy. We welcome the move of CDDO, GDS and i.AI to DSIT in 2024 to create a digital centre of government. This new Government Digital Service, and the proposals in A blueprint for modern digital government to require all executive teams and boards to include a digital leader by 2026, offer an opportunity to strengthen leadership and governance and support digital transformation. However, the scale of the task should not be underestimated and we are seriously concerned whether DSIT has sufficient leverage to drive change across the public sector. One significant way to do this is to ensure that every department and their agencies have a senior Government Digital Service officer embedded at senior management levels in their organisation and agencies to oversee digital policy and procurement change. Equally the relevant procurement and main boards should include people with excellent digital policy and procurement skills. recommendation a. DSIT must ensure that the proposed Government Digital and AI Roadmap is underpinned by a clear implementation plan with: • clear accountabilities at the centre, across government and the wider public sector • delivery milestones to drive change and maintain momentum • metrics to track progress and spend over time, to identify whether further levers
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Government response AI summary
The government agrees, stating DSIT is exploring mechanisms to enhance digital expertise and integrate senior digital professionals, aligning with existing intent to require digital leaders on boards and a dotted reporting line to the Government Chief Digital Officer, but does not detail a specific implementation …
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HM Treasury
9
Conclusion
18th Report - Use of AI in Government
Acknowledged
Access to good–quality data was identified as a barrier to implementing AI by 62% of the 87 government bodies responding to the NAO’s survey.16 We received written evidence expressing a range of views on this topic, illustrating the complexity of the issue and the challenge government has in getting it …
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Access to good–quality data was identified as a barrier to implementing AI by 62% of the 87 government bodies responding to the NAO’s survey.16 We received written evidence expressing a range of views on this topic, illustrating the complexity of the issue and the challenge government has in getting it right. For example, the Reform Think Tank raised concerns about a risk averse attitude to data sharing in government which it felt must change if government is to realise the benefits of AI.17 SAS Institute also highlighted low levels of data sharing between the public and private sectors as a missed opportunity for innovation.18 However, we also received evidence from Professor Suresh Renukappa and colleagues that highlighted public concerns about sharing sensitive data with the private sector for the development of AI tools, and stressed the importance of citizens being kept informed of how their data is used.19 10 Q 51 11 Qq 46, 50 12 Q 51 13 HC 643 Q80 14 Q 46 15 Q 47 16 C&AG’s Report, para 3.13 17 UAIG0028 18 UAIG0035 19 UAIG0022 11
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Government response AI summary
DSIT will set out details of its programme of work to address barriers to data sharing in the upcoming Government Digital and Artificial Intelligence (AI) Roadmap, including work to improve cross-government data management practices with a focus on data quality, as well as how this …
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HM Treasury
11
Conclusion
18th Report - Use of AI in Government
Acknowledged
67% of government bodies responding to the NAO’s survey said that support from the centre of government in fostering public trust in AI was very important.23 Written evidence we received from a wide range of stakeholders emphasised the vital importance of public trust. For example, the Ada Lovelace Institute told …
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67% of government bodies responding to the NAO’s survey said that support from the centre of government in fostering public trust in AI was very important.23 Written evidence we received from a wide range of stakeholders emphasised the vital importance of public trust. For example, the Ada Lovelace Institute told us expanding the use of AI in the public sector without maintaining public trust and confidence could increase the risk of a public backlash or people withdrawing consent for the data to be used.24 The Local Government Association also raised concerns at survey findings that show low levels of public trust in how government uses the personal data of citizens.25 Transparency and openness were emphasised in the written evidence we received as important ways in which government can build trust, through meaningful public engagement and transparent reporting on AI use and evaluation.26
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Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges the importance of public trust and data privacy in AI adoption.
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HM Treasury
14
Conclusion
18th Report - Use of AI in Government
Acknowledged
70% of government bodies responding to the NAO’s survey identified difficulties in recruiting and retaining staff with AI skills as a barrier to AI adoption.31 In January 2025, the government’s State of digital government review set out the digital and data skills challenge faced by government, reporting difficulties in recruitment …
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70% of government bodies responding to the NAO’s survey identified difficulties in recruiting and retaining staff with AI skills as a barrier to AI adoption.31 In January 2025, the government’s State of digital government review set out the digital and data skills challenge faced by government, reporting difficulties in recruitment (around 50% of roles advertised in civil service digital and data campaigns in 2024 were unfilled), pay levels that were uncompetitive with the private sector, such as a 35% pay gap between public and private sector technical architects (equivalent to £30,000 per year), and the need for more technical roles within the profession.32 DSIT told us that 5.4% of the civil service workforce is in the digital and data profession, which compares unfavourably to the private sector benchmark of 8–12%, depending on the industry. It also told us that the skills mix within the profession was imbalanced, and that it relies too much on outsourcing for the more technical roles.33 Commenting more broadly on the findings of the review, the DSIT said that “there are many challenges and they are not evenly distributed” across government.
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Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges the digital skills gaps and is taking steps to implement reforms, including refining frameworks, developing talent pipelines, and encouraging skills exchange. More detail is promised in the forthcoming Digital and AI Roadmap.
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HM Treasury
15
Recommendation
18th Report - Use of AI in Government
Acknowledged
Written evidence we received emphasised the importance of addressing this skills gap, raising concerns about the public sector’s ability to take advantage of the opportunities of AI responsibly and ethically without 28 Qq 10–11 29 Q 57 30 Q 20 31 C&AG’s Report, figure 9 32 DSIT, State of digital …
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Written evidence we received emphasised the importance of addressing this skills gap, raising concerns about the public sector’s ability to take advantage of the opportunities of AI responsibly and ethically without 28 Qq 10–11 29 Q 57 30 Q 20 31 C&AG’s Report, figure 9 32 DSIT, State of digital government review, January 2025, pp. 29–31 33 Q 25 13 greater expertise. Recommendations included building partnerships between the public and private sectors as well as academia, improving basic AI literacy within the public sector, increasing pay for specialist skills, and building AI competencies into existing professional development frameworks.34
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Government response AI summary
The government agrees with the recommendation to address the digital skills gap in the public sector but provides only general plans such as refining frameworks, developing talent pipelines, and encouraging skills exchange. More detail is promised in the forthcoming Digital and AI Roadmap.
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HM Treasury
18
Conclusion
18th Report - Use of AI in Government
Acknowledged
At the time of the NAO report in March 2024 AI was not widely used across government, with just over a third (37%) of 87 government bodies surveyed reporting they had deployed AI. In contrast, over two–thirds (70%) were piloting or planning AI use.41 Examples of pilot activity included use …
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At the time of the NAO report in March 2024 AI was not widely used across government, with just over a third (37%) of 87 government bodies surveyed reporting they had deployed AI. In contrast, over two–thirds (70%) were piloting or planning AI use.41 Examples of pilot activity included use of AI to analyse digital images to identify and classify objects, use of natural language processing to summarise or draft text, and use of AI to assess trends and patterns and monitor live data.42 DSIT also told us about a suite of tools developed by the i.AI to support civil servants with tasks including minute taking and analysis of consultation responses.43 Commenting more broadly on digital and technical capability, DSIT praised the Met Office and Ordnance Survey.44 It emphasised that local government was “an area where we are particularly keen to move early [ … ] because there is a huge amount of potential there to improve citizens’ lives”.45
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Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges the committee's observation about the new Government Digital Service and its aim to unite efforts to grasp the opportunities of technology and AI.
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HM Treasury
24
Conclusion
18th Report - Use of AI in Government
Acknowledged
At the time of the NAO report, responsibility for AI in government was split across the Cabinet Office—which was primarily responsible for AI adoption in the public sector, through CDDO, i.AI and the Government Digital Service (GDS)—and DSIT, which held responsibility for wider AI policy. The NAO concluded that limited …
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At the time of the NAO report, responsibility for AI in government was split across the Cabinet Office—which was primarily responsible for AI adoption in the public sector, through CDDO, i.AI and the Government Digital Service (GDS)—and DSIT, which held responsibility for wider AI policy. The NAO concluded that limited integration of governance between these respective programmes increased risks to delivery and to the benefits of a coordinated approach.60 The NAO also reported that the then–draft strategy for public sector AI adoption did not set out which department had overall ownership and accountability for it.61 Following the general election in July 2024, the government announced that CDDO, i.AI and GDS would transfer to DSIT with the aim of uniting efforts on the digital transformation of government in one department.62 As part of these changes, DSIT has established a new Government Digital Service to bring together the previously separate functions, which will be led by a second Permanent Secretary–level Government Chief Digital Officer.63
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Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges the committee's observation about the new Government Digital Service and its aim to unite efforts to grasp the opportunities of technology and AI.
Read full response →
HM Treasury