Generative AI Could Boost UK Public Sector Efficiency by 40%

Up to 40% of time in the UK's public sector could be supported by generative AI technology according to a research report published in May 2024 by the Department for Transport (DfT), the Alan Turing Institute, and the Office for National Statistics. The study, which examined the impact of generative AI in the public sector with 59 officials, found that the technology could free up an average of nine days of work time annually, representing nearly two full working weeks for each civil servant. Researchers analyzed 37 different tasks in public administration and concluded that generative AI could significantly reduce time spent on routine tasks, allowing officials to focus on more complex, higher-value activities.

According to data published by Civil Service World, generative AI could support almost 50% of civil servants' work, particularly in data analysis, creating summaries, and report writing, where the technology would increase efficiency by 22%. During the government trial, which involved 1,250 civil servants from ten different ministries and public institutions, 80% of participants reported that AI improved the quality of their work and 68% said it increased efficiency. Parliamentary Under Secretary of State Alex Burghart emphasized that with generative AI, public officials can devote their time to more valuable work while AI assists with routine tasks in the background, which could significantly improve the quality of public services and reduce costs.

The research report indicates that the application of generative AI in the British public sector could have a significant positive impact on both efficiency and service quality. Currently, 5.8 million people work in the UK public sector, and if each could save nine  working days per year, this would represent a total capacity of 52.2 million working days nationwide. The Department for Transport has already begun implementing generative AI in certain workflows, signaling that the government is taking seriously the opportunities offered by the technology, while continuing further research to ensure the public sector can fully leverage the benefits of AI.

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Generative AI ‘could help with almost 50% of civil servants’ work’

Research explores potential for technology to assist officials – as DSIT lauds Microsoft trial

Civil Service WorldJim Dunton

Landmark government trial shows AI could save civil servants nearly 2 weeks a year

More than 20,000 civil servants took part in a government-led trial using generative AI to support their daily work – with early results showing time savings equivalent to nearly 2 working weeks per person, per year.

GOV.UKDepartment for Science, Innovation and Technology

Generative AI Could Free Valuable Public Sector Time The Alan Turing Institute explores how generative AI could save time and improve efficiency in public services.