AI Opportunities Action Plan: A catalyst for enhanced public sector

A transformative opportunity for the public sector to improve services and productivity through driving AI-powered solutions

Toby Barnard, Managing Director, UK Public Sector, QA

By QA

10 Feb 2025

Partner Content

The UK government's aim to establish the nation as a global leader in artificial intelligence (AI) was outlined in the recent publication of the AI Opportunities Action Plan. While the primary goal of the plan is to enhance national productivity through the use of AI, it also aims to reduce administrative costs, speed up processes, and provide more efficient public services¹. This plan presents a significant opportunity to improve productivity and service delivery within the public sector.

To succeed, senior leaders across the public sector must understand the benefits of the plan and how to implement it to help lead the transformation effectively. Adopting AI involves not only a technological shift, but also process changes within departments and organisations, similar to the transition from paper-based to digital systems. Fostering an "AI mindset" and eliminating "tech ghettos" across all departments will ensure that AI is recognised as a valuable tool for everyone, rather than just being seen as a niche technology used by specialised teams.

Fostering an AI mindset

Adopt a collaborative approach: Partner with your technology teams to demonstrate that AI offers a potential 'force multiplier' for all; tools like Microsoft Copilot are estimated to save employees an average of 1.2 hours each week, which can lead to greater efficiency². But what does this look like for your department in practice? How can you demonstrate the transformative benefits of AI?

Encourage a culture of experimentation: Allocate time for exploring and testing AI tools, enabling your department to identify valuable AI use cases and maintain a trajectory of continuous improvement.

Addressing concerns and building confidence: Teams must recognise that artificial intelligence is meant to be an ally in their work, not a replacement for human effort. An open dialogue and transparency are essential for fostering confidence in AI as a collaborative tool. It's important to acknowledge and address concerns about job displacement and the potential misuse of AI, as these are significant barriers to its adoption. At QA, we firmly believe that the future will be shaped by organisations that leverage the complementary strengths of both human and machine intelligence.

Address security considerations: The public sector has unique access to a wide range of sensitive data. The right skills to safely implement AI tools within your organisation’s systems are key to leveraging benefits while mitigating potential risks.

Showcase successful AI implementations: Increase internal confidence and engagement by showcasing real-life public sector examples. For instance, the government’s generative AI-powered chatbot, GOV.UK Chat, which draws upon all content across the GOV.UK website to give users quick, personalised, and trustworthy answers to complex questions. The initial trial produced optimistic results, with 70% of users finding the responses useful³. Another example hot off the press is the AI trial for early breast cancer detection, which, if successful, will help to save lives, and free up valuable time for radiologists and cancer specialists to focus on patient care⁴.

AI upskilling for the future: A bespoke approach for the civil service

To avoid a divide between early adopters and stragglers, like the one seen in the early days of the internet, it is vital that public sector organisations prioritise upskilling initiatives, ensuring that civil servants are equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to confidently navigate the AI landscape.

This involves accessible training on fundamental AI concepts, practical skills development, security considerations, and promoting a continuous learning culture. The government’s 5-year partnership with Microsoft includes skilling programmes and certifications for public sector employees, which will be pivotal in ensuring confidence and readiness⁵, enabling civil servants to critically assess AI outputs and understand its limitations.

Opportunities for collaboration and innovation

The Action Plan offers opportunities to break down silos between technical teams and other departments. This will help to facilitate collaboration and knowledge sharing, subsequently driving improvements in efficiency and effectiveness.

Public sector organisations should also leverage partnerships with expert training providers to deliver contextualised training for their teams and specialist roles.

This collaborative strategic approach ensures that AI is not just a technology project, but a holistic organisational transformation that enhances public service delivery and efficiency.

Conclusion

The government aims to implement a transformative approach to artificial intelligence that will necessitate a shift in mindset across all departments. This initiative goes beyond merely adopting new tools; it involves cultivating a culture of continuous improvement and innovation. Though this may seem challenging, public sector departments can significantly enhance their capabilities by partnering with leading experts, making the transformation journey more manageable and effective.

By prioritising adoption and upskilling, the UK public sector can leverage AI to improve efficiency, success, and citizen engagement. Microsoft Copilot is designed to help deliver on the public sector goals of acceleration and efficiency, and more. As a leading Microsoft training partner with a deep understanding of the UK public sector, QA is uniquely positioned to serve as your strategic partner in the large-scale adoption of Microsoft Copilot, enabling you to realise the benefits of AI implementation.

Embracing AI with a strategic and collaborative approach will allow the UK public sector to unlock its full potential, driving efficiency, innovation, and better outcomes for both civil servants and the citizens they serve.

Learn more about QA and Microsoft training for the public sector

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