The government has identified that artificial intelligence could
deliver substantial productivity gains and transform public
services.
NAO’s survey of government bodies found that AI was not yet
widely used across government, but 70% of surveyed bodies were
piloting or planning AI.
Achieving wide-scale benefits will require changes to business
processes, as well as tackling ageing IT infrastructure, risks,
skills gaps, and data issues.
AI presents the government with opportunities to transform public
services, potentially delivering billions of pounds in
productivity savings, a new report by the National Audit Office
(NAO) says.
In 2023 the government began work to develop a draft strategy for
AI adoption in the public sector. It sets out its ambitions for
realising the opportunities that AI presents for public services.
In the Spring Budget 2024, the government announced funding for a
number of productivity initiatives involving AI.
The NAO’s report, Use of artificial intelligence in
government, considers how effectively government has set
itself up to maximise AI opportunities. It found that the draft
AI adoption strategy is at an early stage and does not yet set
out overall ownership and accountability for delivery, funding,
or an implementation plan with performance metrics.
The NAO goes on to warn that achieving wide-scale benefits will
require not just adoption of new technology but also significant
changes in business processes and corresponding workforce
changes. Gains will only be realised if government ensures its
overall programme for AI adoption is ambitious and supported by a
realistic plan to tackle its ageing IT systems, addresses skills
gaps and improves data quality.
NAO’s survey of government bodies found that AI was not yet
widely used across government, with just over a third of
respondents (37%) having already deployed AI, with typically one
or two use cases.
The survey suggests that government is increasing its AI
activity. Nearly three quarters (70%) of government bodies
responding to the survey are piloting or planning AI, with
typically four use cases being explored per body. Examples
include departments using AI to analyse digital images, to
automate routine checks as part of application processes, and to
draft or summarise text.
Government also needs to tackle key barriers to AI adoption in
the public sector. For example, government bodies surveyed noted
difficulties attracting and retaining staff with AI skills, and
lack of clarity around legal liability. They also had concerns
about risks of unreliable or inaccurate outputs from AI, for
example due to bias and discrimination, and risks to privacy,
data protection, or cyber security.
Government bodies noted the importance of support to address
these barriers and to share knowledge about how AI is being used.
The controls in place for digital and technology spend across
government do not provide assurance that AI risks have been
mitigated: Government is still developing its standards, guidance
and assurance processes to support adoption of AI and manage
risks. It has plans to publish further guidance, update its
digital and technology spend controls and further embed assurance
into processes for procuring AI.
, head of the NAO
said:
“AI offers government opportunities to transform public
services and deliver better outcomes for the taxpayer.
“To deliver these improved outcomes government needs to make
sure its overall programme for AI adoption tackles longstanding
issues, including data quality and ageing IT, as well as builds
in effective governance of the risks.
“Without prompt action to address barriers to making
effective use of AI within public services, government will not
secure the benefits it has identified.”
Notes to editors
- The government’s draft strategy for AI adoption in the public
sector sets four aims
a) The UK public sector will be world leading in safe,
responsible and transparent use of AI to improve public services
and outcomes.
b) The public will benefit from services that have been
transformed by AI and will have confidence that the government’s
use of AI is responsible.
c) Public and civil servants will have the tools, information and
skills they need to use AI to deliver better outcomes.
d) All public organisations will be more efficient and productive
through AI adoption and have the foundations in place to innovate
with the next wave of technologies.
2. As part of this report, the NAO surveyed 89 government bodies
including the main government departments, and the majority of
arm’s-length bodies with annual operational expenditure over
approximately £83 million. The 87 government bodies who responded
provided information about deployment of AI, and their future
plans. They also responded to other questions including barriers
to adoption of AI, and support needed.
