Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 24
24
Acknowledged
AI governance fragmented across government, but recent departmental transfers consolidate responsibility.
Conclusion
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
Government Response 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.
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
The new Government Digital Service was established in January 2025 with the aim of uniting efforts to grasp the opportunities of technology and AI under the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT). This involved relocating three functions from the Cabinet Office to DSIT: the Central Digital and Data Office (CDDO), which leads the government’s Digital and Data function; the Incubator for Artificial Intelligence (i.AI), which works across the public sector to identify and pilot AI opportunities; and the Government Digital Service, responsible for building common digital products and services across government.