From this autumn, more than 400,000 civil servants across England and Wales will receive practical training in artificial intelligence, in a major government initiative aimed at boosting public sector productivity. The programme, announced by Cabinet Office minister Pat McFadden, is part of a wider reform to modernise the civil service and address contemporary challenges.
The training roll-out accompanies a planned reduction in the civil service workforce, with tens of thousands of roles to be cut through voluntary redundancy and non-replacement. AI is being positioned as a key enabler of efficiency, with civil servants encouraged to identify tasks where technology can deliver faster, high-quality outcomes.
A new AI tool named “Humphrey”—inspired by the character from Yes, Minister—is currently being piloted. In trials, it has streamlined bureaucratic processes, including the analysis of public consultations on cosmetic surgery regulations in Scotland. Officials say the tool delivered results comparable to human analysts in a fraction of the time and could save up to 75,000 workdays annually, potentially reducing costs by £20 million.
A March directive to civil servants stated that “no person’s substantive time should be spent on a task where digital or AI can do it better, quicker and to the same high quality and standard.” The guidance reflects the government's push for civil servants to actively explore the use of AI in daily workflows.
Sir Chris Wormald, cabinet secretary, praised the civil service’s adaptability and encouraged staff to embrace innovation. He stressed the need to preserve core civil service values while evolving to meet the demands of an uncertain world.
The training programme forms part of broader digital transformation efforts, including a target of £45 billion in productivity savings. The State of Digital Government Review has criticised existing inefficiencies and called for greater coherence in the use of technology across government departments and local councils.
Despite the promise of AI integration, concerns remain. Past implementations in the public sector have exposed algorithmic biases affecting age and disability, raising questions over oversight and risk management. UK Auditor General Gareth Davies has urged the government to foster a culture of experimentation while investing in the skills needed to manage AI responsibly.
Alongside civil service training, the government has also launched a 12-week AI Accelerator Programme to retrain data scientists as machine learning engineers. The initiative is part of a wider goal to double the number of digital experts in government by 2030.
As the AI rollout progresses, it signals a significant shift in how the UK civil service operates—offering potential gains in efficiency and effectiveness while underscoring the need for careful implementation and strong public accountability.
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