UK government launches AI skills drive for civil servants in latest One Big Thing campaign

UK Government Launches AI Skills Boost in New One Big Thing Campaign

This autumn, the UK civil service will roll out its latest One Big Thing campaign focused on artificial intelligence (AI). The initiative is an annual effort to upskill civil servants in key areas, fostering a culture change within government departments.

Previous campaigns targeted innovation and data skills. In 2023, the data-themed campaign reached over 200,000 civil servants, delivering an estimated half a million hours of learning. This year, AI takes center stage to equip officials with the knowledge and tools necessary to use AI confidently and responsibly in their roles.

Empowering Civil Servants with AI

The government recognizes the vital role civil servants play in applying AI responsibly to improve public services. The campaign aims to provide practical experience and essential AI knowledge, helping officials integrate AI into their daily work effectively.

This effort builds on the AI Opportunities Action Plan introduced earlier this year, which is a key part of the government’s broader Plan for Change. The plan focuses on using AI to improve efficiency and free up time for tasks that require human judgment.

Joanna Davinson, government chief digital officer at Government Digital Service, emphasized that AI literacy will enable civil servants to design more responsive and efficient services that better serve the public.

Learning Programme and Practical Application

Civil servants will follow a structured programme covering AI essentials. They will also apply AI tools to real-world scenarios within their work, ensuring the learning translates into improved public service delivery.

Small Changes, Big Impact

Simon Case, former UK cabinet secretary and head of the civil service, highlighted the power of small, cumulative improvements in government innovation. The current AI initiatives reflect this approach.

Key government moves earlier this year include:

• The AI Opportunities Action Plan launched by Prime Minister Keir Starmer in January to embed AI across government functions.
• The AI playbook published in February, listing 10 principles for safe and effective AI use in public sector organisations. This playbook was developed with input from 20 departments and expert advisors.
• The May launch of Humphrey, a suite of AI tools to help civil servants work more efficiently.

Introducing Humphrey: AI Tools for Civil Service

Humphrey includes several tools tailored to government needs:

• Consult: Analyses consultation responses to streamline feedback processing.
• Parlex: Searches and analyses parliamentary debates, helping policymakers access historical insights quickly.
• Minute: A secure transcription service that creates meeting summaries in formats suited to civil service requirements.
• Lex: Offers legal research support by summarising relevant laws for complex issues.
• Redbox: Supports everyday tasks like policy summarisation and briefing preparation through generative AI.

Redbox is already available to civil servants and has been used in reports such as the Digital Leaders 2024 analysis. The Scottish Government has also trialled Humphrey’s Consult tool for a live consultation on non-surgical cosmetic treatment regulations.

Learn More and Engage

The Public Service Data.AI event will showcase how various public sector agencies are using data and AI to enhance services. This is a good opportunity to hear practical insights directly from government teams implementing these tools.

For civil servants interested in further AI training, resources are available at Complete AI Training, which offers courses tailored to different skill levels and job roles within the public sector.