A transformative opportunity for public sector tech teams to drive the future of AI-powered governance with improved services
The UK government has unveiled its ambitious AI Opportunities Action Plan to establish the nation as a global AI leader while boosting national productivity.
For the public sector, these strategies aim to reduce burdensome administrative costs, accelerate processes and deliver more efficient public services1.
Tech teams have a unique opportunity to be at the forefront of transformation. Success hinges on widespread adoption of AI tools across various government functions and dedicated AI upskilling initiatives for civil servants.
Facilitating widespread adoption of AI tools across the public sector
The public sector has been stuck in a productivity rut for over a decade. It’s clear that adopting new technology is the way out2. The current state of operations is unsustainable and could threaten the future of institutions like the NHS.
AI productivity gains can be transformative. They will only become a reality if the government fosters widespread AI adoption, going beyond theoretical interest to practical implementation.
It’s critical to get this journey right. Following the new Action Plan, many public sector workers in IT will be trying to figure out how they can persuade the wider public sector to make the most of AI. You are the champions of this new technology.
Much like the transition from paper-based processes to digital systems, embracing AI necessitates organisational change.
An experimental culture is needed. By exploring AI applications within civil service roles and sharing learnings, departments can identify valuable use cases faster and establish a culture of continuous improvement.
Leaders must help build confidence and address concerns; anxieties around job displacement or misuse are barriers to adoption. Openly acknowledging and addressing them is essential.
At QA, we believe the future belongs to organisations that combine the power of human and machine intelligence. Helping your teams understand that AI is here to help them, not replace them, is the first step toward everyone effectively using AI as a thought partner to increase impact in their roles.
Showcasing existing successful AI implementations internally and emphasising AI’s role as a collaborative tool will also increase confidence and engagement.
Beyond technical skills: cultivating an “AI mindset”
Technical proficiency is crucial. However, at the core of organisation-wide adoption is a shift in mindset; the wider public sector must view AI not as a niche technology for specialist teams but as a force multiplier for all.
To achieve this shift, organisations must break down silos between technical teams and other departments for collaborative sharing of AI knowledge and best practices.
Teams should also continue to experiment and iterate. AI implementation is an iterative process with ongoing refinement.
Still, skills are needed. That’s why the government’s 5-year partnership with Microsoft includes commitments to skilling programmes and certifications for public sector employees3. The role of expert training providers like QA within this process will be pivotal to ensure confidence and readiness, contextualised to the organisation and to specific roles. Take advantage of this training to fill any gaps in your knowledge.
Dedicated AI upskilling for the civil service
The early days of the internet saw a divide between early adopters and laggards. A similar “AI divide” is set to emerge. To ensure that public sector organisations and the UK at large end up on the right side of this divide, IT teams must prioritise upskilling initiatives.
It’s time to equip civil servants with the knowledge and skills to confidently navigate the AI landscape, focusing on:
- Demystifying AI: Accessible training on fundamental AI concepts, capabilities and common misconceptions to apply AI with confidence.
- Practical skills development: Training beyond theory to leveraging AI tools. The ability to critically assess AI outputs and understand its limitations is critical.
- Security considerations: The right skills to safely implement AI tools within your organisation’s systems are key to leveraging the benefits while mitigating potential risks.
- Continuous learning culture: The dynamic nature of AI demands continuous learning. Ongoing training programmes and resources will keep civil servants updated on AI advancements.
How will the AI Action Plan impact your role, skills, and career path?
By focusing on adoption and upskilling, UK government tech teams can drive improvements in efficiency, effectiveness, and citizen engagement. You can expect an increased demand for your expertise since IT professionals will be crucial in building, implementing, and maintaining AI systems as adoption scales.
There are further reasons to be invested. Government AI research and development introduces cutting-edge projects and opportunities to innovate. You could be working on building public sector AI capabilities, developing new AI applications, or contributing to the National Data Library. Career growth naturally follows, aided by upskilling initiatives, new training programmes, resources, and development paths to enhance your AI capabilities.
Conclusion
The government’s vision for AI requires a move away from “tech ghettos” to an “AI mindset” across all departments.
Public sector organisations should partner with the best. Microsoft Copilot promises to deliver on public sector goals of acceleration and efficiency; with successful adoption, Copilot could save each employee an average of 1.2 hours a week, or as much as 30 minutes per day4. Multiply that by your headcount! Now we’re talking efficiency.
As a leading Microsoft training partner with a deep understanding of the UK public sector, QA is uniquely positioned to be your strategic partner in adopting Microsoft Copilot at scale and making the advantages of AI implementation your reality.
Discover more about QA and Microsoft training for the public sector
Sources:
- AI Opportunities Action Plan – GOV.UK
- How AI Can Untap UK Workplace Potential | Workday
- Microsoft and UK Government sign five-year agreement, offering access to world-leading value for UK public sector and supporting new era of digital transformation – Source EMEA
- What Can Copilot’s Earliest Users Teach Us About AI at Work?
