Bolstering Infrastructure: Suggestions for Reinforcing AI's Base in Public Administration
The UK government has unveiled a comprehensive AI initiative aimed at transforming public services, boosting the nation's tech sector, and fostering innovation while ensuring trust and safety. The strategy, outlined in the "Learn Fast and Build Things" policy briefing, sets out specific goals and strategies to achieve these objectives.
### Transforming Public Services
The government plans to automate administrative tasks and improve efficiency, aiming for savings of £14 billion by 2028/29, particularly in sectors such as the NHS, Ministry of Justice, and Department of Work and Pensions. The goal is to deliver a more satisfying experience, improve productivity, and attract investment.
### Boosting the UK’s Tech Sector
The government aims to affirm the UK's role as a global leader in AI and advanced technologies by supporting home-grown innovation. An AI Action Plan with £2 billion funding has been proposed to support research, development, and deployment across government and industry, fostering innovation and economic growth.
### Securing a Trusted AI Infrastructure
Establishing a secure, sustainable, and trusted AI infrastructure is a key part of the strategy. The focus is on ensuring ethical AI use and public trust in government-deployed AI systems. The government is also investing in math and data education and reforming visa policies to attract and retain top global AI talent.
### Developing a Skilled AI Workforce
The government aims to develop a skilled AI workforce, including upskilling civil servants and preparing 7.5 million UK workers with AI training by 2030. A collaborative effort with major technology companies is underway to deliver accessible, high-quality AI training for millions of workers across sectors.
### Embedding a Mission-Driven Approach
The government is committed to embedding a mission-driven approach to AI, focusing on societal challenges such as healthcare improvement, climate change, and economic productivity while emphasizing ethics, safety, and trust in AI systems.
The initiative seeks to rapidly embed AI tools into public services, empower the civil service workforce, ensure secure and ethical AI use, and position the UK as a leader in AI innovation globally through strategic investment and partnerships.
Recommendations have been proposed to strengthen the foundations for AI in the public sector, including establishing a What Works Centre for AI in Public Services. The government also plans to prioritise public engagement on the development of the National Data Library and other data repurposing initiatives.
In summary, the UK government's AI initiative in the public sector is a bold step towards transforming public services, boosting the UK’s tech sector, and driving innovation while ensuring trust and safety. The strategy emphasises the need for a clear vision for how and where technology should shape public services, focusing on delivering public value rather than just productivity and efficiency. The review of the Algorithmic Transparency Recording Standard (ATRS) is underway to ensure its effectiveness and scope, with a focus on meeting the expectations of various stakeholders and promoting trust. The government's approach to AI is based on the idea that no person's time should be spent on a task that can be done better, quicker, and to the same high quality and standard by digital or AI.
Artificial intelligence (AI) will play a crucial role in automating administrative tasks and improving efficiency within public services, a key aspect of the UK government's AI initiative, as the goal is to leverage AI to save £14 billion by 2028/29. The government aims to support home-grown innovation and affirm the UK's role as a global leader in AI and advanced technologies through strategic investment and partnerships, which is a significant part of the boost to the nation's tech sector.
