Source · National Audit Office
Use of artificial intelligence in government
Published: 15 Mar 2024
Recommendations: 10
Type: Value for Money
NAO confirmed: 10
Department: Cross-government
AI presents the government with opportunities to transform public services potentially delivering billions of pounds in productivity savings.
Recommendations
| Rec | Recommendation | Addressee | Acceptance | Implementation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
To deliver on its strategy for public sector AI adoption, the Cabinet Office should:
Develop an integrated and feasible implementation plan building on individual departmental AI adoption plans and identifying common and scalable applications. It should assess the ability of the integrated plan to deliver the large-scale productivity gains it has identified.
Ref Page 12, point a, first bullet point
· Implemented 2026-27 Q3
|
Cabinet Office | Accepted | In progress ✓ NAO |
| 10 |
CDDO should work with the government functions to review existing guidance, government standards and assurance processes to ensure they adequately address the opportunities and risks of AI use and provide sufficient levers to promote safe and responsible use of AI across government, including reviewing:
in collaboration with DSIT, compliance with the Algorithmic Transparency Recording Standard. This should include assessing its impact, and considering whether further levers are needed to support its implementation.
Ref Page 13, point d, fifth bullet point
· Implemented 2026-27 Q3
|
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology | Partially accepted | In progress ✓ NAO |
| 2 |
To deliver on its strategy for public sector AI adoption, the Cabinet Office should:
Identify and publish performance metrics and supporting monitoring arrangements that reflect the strategy?s desired outcomes to promote transparency and accountability for delivery.
Ref Page 12, point a, second bullet point
· Implemented 2026-27 Q3
|
Cabinet Office | Accepted | In progress ✓ NAO |
| 3 |
To deliver on its strategy for public sector AI adoption, the Cabinet Office should:
In collaboration with DSIT, assess the new strategy and governance arrangements to make sure they are fit for purpose and ensure effective coordination with DSIT-led AI policy for the wider economy, and review them within a year of implementation, making any changes needed.
Ref Page 12, point a, third bullet point
· Implemented 2026-27 Q3
|
Cabinet Office | Partially accepted | In progress ✓ NAO |
| 4 |
The Cabinet Office should establish how government can bring together and share accessible insights from cross-government activity to identify, prioritise and test scalable AI opportunities in the public sector, including working with DSIT to leverage the wider research landscape such as UKRI's programmes.
Ref Page 12, point b
· Implemented 2026-27 Q2
|
Cabinet Office | Partially accepted | In progress ✓ NAO |
| 5 |
CDDO should continue to prioritise the 2022-2025 roadmap for digital and data, to address the legacy IT infrastructure and data quality and access barriers to adoption of AI, and ensure future plans maintain continued focus on addressing the risks that these issues pose for sustainable AI deployment.
Ref Page 12, point c
· Implemented 2026-27 Q3
|
Cabinet Office | Accepted | In progress ✓ NAO |
| 6 |
CDDO should work with the government functions to review existing guidance, government standards and assurance processes to ensure they adequately address the opportunities and risks of AI use and provide sufficient levers to promote safe and responsible use of AI across government, including reviewing:
the assurance controls for digital and technology spend
Ref Page 13, point d, first bullet point
· Implemented 2026-27 Q2
|
Cabinet Office | Accepted | In progress ✓ NAO |
| 7 |
CDDO should work with the government functions to review existing guidance, government standards and assurance processes to ensure they adequately address the opportunities and risks of AI use and provide sufficient levers to promote safe and responsible use of AI across government, including reviewing:
arrangements for providing independent technical assurance for procured AI.
Ref Page 13, point d, second bullet point
· Implemented 2026-27 Q1
|
Cabinet Office | Accepted | In progress ✓ NAO |
| 8 |
CDDO should work with the government functions to review existing guidance, government standards and assurance processes to ensure they adequately address the opportunities and risks of AI use and provide sufficient levers to promote safe and responsible use of AI across government, including reviewing:
in collaboration with the Government Analysis Function, how proposed updates to guidance on quality assurance and use of AI in analysis can be aligned with CDDO?s wider guidance on the use of AI.
Ref Page 13, point d, third bullet point
· Implemented 2026-27 Q1
|
Cabinet Office | Partially accepted | In progress ✓ NAO |
| 9 |
CDDO should work with the government functions to review existing guidance, government standards and assurance processes to ensure they adequately address the opportunities and risks of AI use and provide sufficient levers to promote safe and responsible use of AI across government, including reviewing:
in collaboration with DSIT, alignment of government standards with global AI standards where appropriate.
Ref Page 13, point d, fourth bullet point
· Implemented 2026-27 Q2
|
Cabinet Office | Partially accepted | In progress ✓ NAO |