UK-AI: Incubator and Best Practice Playbook for Growing AI Adoption Across the UK Government
To deliver on the vast potential AI offers for rejuvenating UK public services, resources are being developed to support adoption across the sector.
As the BBC reported Keir Starmer unveiled a comprehensive 50-point plan for AI that aims to shape the future of technology and innovation in the UK.
In a speech setting out the government’s plans to use AI across the UK to boost growth and deliver services more efficiently, the PM said the government had a responsibility to make AI “work for working people”.
The UK boasts a wealth of expertise and thought leaders who can realize this vision for the UK and with it deliver the massive economic benefits, and there are a number of major programs taking shape to realize these ambitions:
Playbook
The Cabinet Office published a framework to support the adoption of generative AI in the public sector, and the UK Government Digital Service (GDS), under the leadership of Technology Secretary Peter Kyle, launched the AI Playbook, a comprehensive guide designed to steer public sector organizations toward the safe, effective, and responsible use of AI, formed through three main sections:
- Building AI Solutions: Technical and corporate guidance for selecting, procuring, and deploying AI solutions, aimed at those involved in AI projects.
- Using AI Safely and Responsibly: Practical steps to ensure AI systems are developed and deployed with legal, ethical, and security considerations in mind.
- AI Use Cases in the Public Sector: Real-world examples and case studies showcasing AI applications across government, providing actionable insights.
Each section includes checklists and recommendations, with the playbook complemented by a new AI Insights series for in-depth technical discussions and bimonthly updates to keep pace with AI advancements.
This pivotal resource, accessible to all on GOV.UK, builds on the Generative AI Framework and expands its scope to encompass a broader range of AI technologies, including machine learning, deep learning, natural language processing, computer vision, and speech recognition.
Incubator
The Incubator for Artificial Intelligence (i.AI), housed within the Government Digital Service under the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, is a dynamic team dedicated to revolutionizing public services through AI. Operating from Bristol, London, and Manchester, i.AI brings together experts from industry, academia, and the public sector to develop ethical, secure, and innovative AI solutions.
Led by Dr. Laura Gilbert, the incubator focuses on enhancing government efficiency and improving service delivery for citizens by identifying high-impact AI opportunities, rapidly prototyping tools, and scaling successful projects across departments.
The team’s work involves scanning for AI applications by collaborating with government bodies and private sector partners like Microsoft and Google, prioritizing projects based on feasibility and value. Notable tools include Consult, which streamlines public consultation analysis, and Extract, which digitizes planning documents to accelerate council decisions.
Other innovations, such as Redbox for summarizing ministerial documents, Connect for optimizing renewable energy grid connections, and Caddy, an AI copilot for customer service, demonstrate i.AI’s commitment to addressing diverse challenges, from policy-making to net-zero goals.
By recruiting 40 new roles to expand production capabilities, i.AI is poised to scale its impact, transforming public services in areas like health, education, and home affairs while maintaining a focus on ethical AI deployment.
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