Adopt, Innovate, Transform, the FDA’s report developed in partnership with the Fabian Society think-tank, looks at what the successful adoption of AI In the civil service would look like, and what support and training staff need to embrace it.
Involve civil servants and properly invest in AI to achieve the productivity and savings the government seeks.
72% have either already introduced AI to improve how their team does things, or would like to do so in future, demonstrating civil servants desire to persue change.
The report is based on a survey of over 2,000 civil servants. This survey found:
‘Digital dividend’ for delivery
The report argues this would strengthen incentives to stay in post and complete transformation initiatives, with milestones set at recruitment or at project commencement.
Ensure everyone has access to the right technology
The government must take steps to understand gaps and reform procurement to improve access to both conventional technology and AI – including by monitoring and scaling effective solutions.
Protected time for skills
We propose the government considers at a baseline least of 2.5 per cent, with a higher allocation for those in priority areas.
Departments keep savings
Departments should be able to retain and reinvest efficiencies generated by AI – as is commonplace in business – rather than automatically returning savings.
Digital participation tools
A digital platform should enable staff to share ideas, debate changes, volunteer for working groups and trials, and flag specific issues with AI systems.
Sasjkia OttoSenior Researcher, the Fabian Society
The government must resist the temptation to emulate the US “project chainsaw” model – of cuts now and questions later. Successful transformation will require meaningful investment and can only happen in partnership with the workforce.
Dave Penman
FDA General Secretary
Rollout is inconsistent across departments, which limits productivity gains, gives little incentive for innovation, and fails to address the very real concerns people have about adopting the new technology
FDA Assistant General Secretary Lauren Crowley spoke as part of ‘Tech and public services’ panel at a Tech Summit at Havas Village, London on Monday 27 April.
The government is betting on rewiring the state using artificial intelligence (AI). But how can civil servants help deliver a smarter state using AI? Tommy Newell outlines the findings of the FDA’s report and its recent launch.
Report co-authors Sasjkia Otto and Aoife Donaghy, alongside former No.10 Downing Street Innovation Fellow Alexander De Ville, and FDA General Secretary Dave Penman launch new joint FDA/Fabian Society report at FDA HQ in London.
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