Slow AI progress in UK public sector due to budget & skills

A new research report by SAS has highlighted that only one in five government officials in the UK are making significant progress in key AI-related areas.

Conducted in collaboration with Total Research, a sister organisation of Civil Service World, the report identifies several major barriers to the adoption and implementation of AI within the public sector.

The findings, which surveyed 170 officials from across various government sectors, reveal that the primary obstacles include budget restrictions (67%), a lack of internal technical knowledge or expertise (63%), and outdated legacy systems (57%). Other significant concerns include data security and privacy issues, which affect 52% of respondents, and problems related to data quality and consistency, cited by over 40% of respondents.

"Enhancing efficiency and improving the services to citizens are just two of the benefits AI can offer, but the integration of this technology in the public sector is lagging behind," stated Nicola Furlong, Director for Public Sector, Health and Life Sciences at SAS. "It's clear that issues surrounding data privacy, security, and ethical AI are influencing how these technologies are implemented."

The report points out that the slow uptake of AI underscores a gap between the UK government's strategic goals and practical implementation. This comes despite initiatives such as the relocation of the Government Digital Service (GDS), the Central Digital and Data Office (CDDO), and the Artificial Intelligence Incubator to the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) aimed at enhancing digital services and innovation.

In a separate comment, Patrick Haston, Head of Cloud Transformation at the Cabinet Office, highlighted the importance of data standards. "Compliance with the data standards enables data to be shared across government more easily, supports greater automation and provides opportunities to use AI more effectively," he said, adding that surveys like this provide valuable insight into levels of awareness and adoption.

During the survey, only 28% of civil servants were aware of the Functional Data Standard (FDS), designed to ensure organisations adhere to rigorous guidelines for robust digital and data initiatives. Out of those aware, 14% had seen the standards, and 3% were actively reviewing them.

When asked about their priorities, 22% of respondents ranked harnessing AI-driven capabilities for automation as a top priority, up from 12% in 2022, indicating a growing recognition of AI's potential benefits. However, the report suggests that substantial investment in infrastructure and expertise is essential for effective AI integration.

Furlong recommended, "Government departments should begin by planning and allocating resources, then identifying use cases before developing AI prototypes, followed by implementation and ongoing assessment to maintain the solution."

The report outlines five practical steps aimed at helping government departments and public sector organisations unlock the full potential of data and AI. This approach is in line with the government's new vision for digital and data, which aims to make the public sector more efficient and responsive through the adoption of advanced technologies.