Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
18th Report - Use of AI in Government
Public Accounts Committee
HC 356
Published 26 March 2025
Recommendations
15
Acknowledged
Addressing the AI skills gap is crucial for responsible and ethical public sector AI adoption.
Recommendation
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 …
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Government Response 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.
HM Treasury
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Conclusions (7)
4
Conclusion
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 …
Government Response 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.
6
Conclusion
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 …
Government Response 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 plan for the proposed roadmap itself.
9
Conclusion
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 …
Government Response 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 work will support successful realization of the National Data Library.
11
Conclusion
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 …
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the importance of public trust and data privacy in AI adoption.
14
Conclusion
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 …
Government Response 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.
18
Conclusion
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 …
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.
24
Conclusion
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 …
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.