The tech agency retains longstanding partner Capgemini to assist AISI and the wider department, with a particular focus on tapping into SME skills that would otherwise be out of reach

Government’s digital centre has signed a multimillion-pound deal intended to help provide access to the services of “niche or emergent” firms specialised in artificial intelligence technology.

On 5 February, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology entered into a one-year contract with Capgemini. Over the coming months, the IT consultancy giant will serve as the department’s “AI services delivery partner”, according to the heading of newly published commercial notice. These services will encompass assistance with AI-related research, as well as professional services and consultancy support for technology initiatives.

The document reveals that the supplier will be tasked with supporting the AI Security Institute – which operates as a directorate within DSIT, with the remit of leading government’s work on “ensuring advanced AI is safe, secure and beneficial”. The contract is also intended to help provide additional expertise to AI-focused teams across the wider department, which includes the 1,000-plus employees of the Government Digital Service.

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In some instances, Capgemini will directly provide this support. But the French-headquartered firm will also be expected to bring in smaller specialist outfits whose skills might not otherwise be easily accessible to government.

“To support the work of AISI and other AI teams within DSIT, we are looking to procure the services of a supplier to deliver AI-related services across two main areas: AI research services; and AI professional services delivered either by the supplier’s own resources or specialised third-party suppliers,” the notice says. “The supplier will be responsible for the delivery of projects by the specialist third party suppliers who DSIT cannot easily access through existing routes to market because suppliers are niche or emergent and lack the capacity to apply to public sector frameworks.”

The agreement between DSIT and Capgemini, which runs until February 2027, is valued at £4.5m.

The engagement is the latest in a growing series of AI-related deals won by the consultancy, including a range of previous contracts – cumulatively worth more than £10m – to support the work of DSIT and AISI. The firm has also won major agreements to assist with AI deployments at HM Revenue and Customs, and the Department for Work and Pensions.