In a bold move to modernise public services, the UK government is set to leverage cutting-edge technology and artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance efficiency and turbocharge the Prime Minister’s Plan for Change.
This initiative aims to revolutionise how the government experiments with, buys, and builds new tech, ultimately improving public services for all.
A new suite of AI tools, affectionately dubbed ‘Humphrey,’ will soon be available to civil servants. This innovative package is designed to modernise technology and deliver superior public services, setting the nation on a path to a decade of national renewal.
The impetus for this transformation stems from a recent review that revealed the government’s reliance on outdated communication methods. With HMRC handling 100,000 calls daily and the DVLA processing 45,000 letters, the need for a technological overhaul is evident.
The Technology Secretary will be unveiling a comprehensive plan to address these issues. By establishing his department as the digital hub of the government, he aims to overhaul digital services and achieve £45 billion in annual productivity savings.
This initiative will eliminate outdated processes that have hindered progress for too long. For instance, it will remove the need for individuals to queue at local councils to register the death of a loved one or post an advert in a local paper to obtain a lorry driving license—barriers that stifle growth.
Additionally, the plan promotes a common-sense approach to information sharing. Central government departments, such as HMRC and the Department for Business and Trade, will be able to share data more seamlessly with each other and local councils. This will help crack down on fraud and provide businesses with the support they need to thrive.
Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, Peter Kyle, said:
“Sluggish technology has hampered our public services for too long, and it’s costing us all a fortune in time and money.
“Not to mention the headaches and stresses we’re left with after being put on hold or forced to take a trip to fill out a form.
“My department will put AI to work, speeding up our ability to deliver our Plan for Change, improve lives and drive growth.
“We will use technology to bear down hard to the nonsensical approach the public sector takes to sharing information and working together to help the people it serves.
“We will also end delays businesses face when they are applying for licenses or permits, when they just want to get on with the task in hand – growth. This is just the start.”
This announcement follows the AI Opportunities Action Plan, which has positioned the UK as an emerging AI superpower, attracting over £14 billion in investment since its launch last Monday.
The changes will see the formation of a new team within the Department for Science, Technology and Innovation (DSIT). This team will work across Whitehall to integrate public services, ensuring that individuals do not have to relay the same information to multiple organisations. Furthermore, training programmes will be introduced to help civil service technologists transition into AI engineering roles.
The blueprint for a modern digital government, published today, outlines how the government will revamp its delivery of digital services and optimise its £23 billion annual technology expenditure, starting with the establishment of a Digital Commercial Centre of Excellence.
This ambitious plan promises to transform the NHS and other public services, making them more efficient, responsive, and ready to meet the challenges of the future.
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