AI in Whitehall: Progress, Challenges, and Potential

The Global Government Forum’s Digital Leaders Study 2024, conducted in partnership with Cognizant, sheds light on the state of artificial intelligence (AI) within the UK government. Through interviews with senior civil service leaders across Whitehall, the study reveals both the progress made and the challenges facing the implementation of AI in government.

Leading on AI Safety, Lagging on Implementation

The study highlights that Whitehall has made strides in shaping AI safety standards. High-profile initiatives, such as the AI Safety Summit and the establishment of the AI Safety Institute, position the UK as a global leader in setting AI safety standards. However, despite this progress, AI implementation within government remains limited.

One interviewee encapsulated the issue with a powerful metaphor: the government is “driving a car with one foot very firmly pressed down on the accelerator and one foot pressed down on the brake.” While there is substantial excitement around AI, practical rollout is lagging behind due to an overemphasis on safety (‘the brake’) and not enough focus on scaling up (‘the accelerator’). The UK’s cautious approach contrasts with other countries like Singapore, which has advanced much further in applying AI technologies.

Lack of Central AI Vision

One of the key takeaways from the study is the lack of a cohesive, cross-government AI strategy. Using the Seven Lenses of Transformation framework to assess AI maturity, the study found that the absence of a clear and compelling AI vision is a significant barrier. This prevents effective planning, workforce development, and a coordinated approach to AI deployment across departments.

While the Central Digital and Data Office (CDDO) had been developing an AI vision, it has yet to receive political approval. This fragmentation of leadership within Whitehall has hindered the creation of a unified strategy, leading to slower implementation compared to the private sector and other governments.

Data Interoperability and Funding Challenges

Another critical issue raised by digital leaders is data interoperability—a longstanding challenge in Whitehall. The lack of seamless data sharing across departments is seen as a significant barrier to the effective use of AI. For instance, an AI tool designed to improve public services would be far less effective if it could access only health data but not information from other government departments.

Additionally, there is a gap between AI’s potential benefits and the government’s approach to funding. Leaders cautioned that AI development is not a one-off investment but requires ongoing financial support for training and improving algorithms. Without this, any projected benefits from AI are unlikely to materialise.

Workforce Training: Far Behind the Private Sector

AI training for civil servants is another area of concern. While some progress has been made—such as senior officials attending AI-focused training days at Oxford University—there is no large-scale effort comparable to previous government digital training initiatives. The study notes that many Whitehall leaders lag behind their private sector counterparts in AI understanding, with one interviewee remarking that officials are “around five years behind” CEOs in AI knowledge.

The lack of a comprehensive AI training framework and the absence of an updated Government Digital and Data Profession Capability Framework that includes AI skills compounds the issue. The current AI training offer was described as “unusable” by some of the leaders interviewed.

Reasons for Optimism

Despite these challenges, the study points to several reasons for optimism. For one, a consolidated AI leadership structure has emerged, with departments like the CDDO, i.AI, and the Government Digital Service (GDS) now under the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT). This development promises more coordinated action.

The UK’s AI potential remains high, with strong rankings in AI readiness globally. A central AI vision is in development, and there are new initiatives, such as the AI Opportunities Action Plan, which aim to accelerate progress. Drawing on past successes in digital transformation, the report concludes that the UK has the capability to achieve similar advances with AI, provided the right steps are taken.

The road ahead may be challenging, but Whitehall has the foundations in place to embrace AI—if it can shift its focus from safety and press harder on the accelerator.