Government launches 'AI Opportunities Action Plan'

The Government has launched the AI Opportunities Action Plan, positioning artificial intelligence (AI) as a cornerstone of public service reform and national growth.

Unveiled today, the plan focuses on embedding AI across government operations, improving service delivery, and cementing the UK’s position as a global AI leader.

Scaling AI across the public sector

A key pillar of the action plan is scaling AI adoption across all areas of government, transforming how public services are delivered and enhancing efficiency. The government aims to free public servants from routine administrative tasks, allowing them to focus on higher-value work.

A new digital centre within the Department for Science, Innovation, and Technology (DSIT) will lead these efforts, tasked with:

• Identifying and piloting AI solutions: Innovative AI projects will be tested in public sector settings.
• Scaling successful initiatives: Effective pilots will be rolled out across government departments, ensuring maximum impact.
• Supporting collaboration: The centre will work with private sector partners and international organisations to accelerate adoption.

AI is already being used across the UK public sector, with applications in:

• Healthcare: AI systems are diagnosing illnesses faster, predicting patient needs, and streamlining hospital discharge processes.
• Education: Automating administrative tasks enables teachers to focus on personalised learning.
• Infrastructure: AI-powered cameras are identifying potholes, improving road maintenance, and cutting costs.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasised the importance of AI in improving citizens’ lives: “Artificial Intelligence will drive incredible change in our country. It has the potential to transform public services, from personalising lessons for children to improving infrastructure. Our plan will ensure the benefits are felt by everyone.”

The action plan sets out several measures to support AI adoption in government:

• Expanding Compute Capacity: The government will build a state-of-the-art supercomputer to power AI initiatives, increasing public computing capacity twentyfold by 2030.
• National Data Library: A secure platform will unlock the value of public data to support AI development, while safeguarding privacy.
• AI Growth Zones: Special zones will fast-track planning permissions for AI infrastructure, ensuring projects are delivered efficiently.

The first AI Growth Zone will be in Culham, Oxfordshire, home to cutting-edge scientific research facilities. This zone will serve as a testing ground for sustainable energy solutions to power AI development, with more zones planned across deindustrialised areas to create local jobs and opportunities.

Economic impact

While the focus of the action plan is public sector transformation, the government also highlights the significant economic benefits of widespread AI adoption. The IMF estimates that AI could boost UK productivity by 1.5% annually, adding up to £47 billion to the economy each year over the next decade.

Private sector investment has surged in response to the government’s AI strategy. Major firms, including Vantage Data Centres, Nscale, and Kyndryl, have committed £14 billion to AI infrastructure projects, creating over 13,250 jobs. These investments include:

• A £12 billion data centre campus in Wales: Creating over 11,500 jobs.
• A sovereign AI data centre in Essex: Supporting UK data sovereignty.
• 1,000 AI-related jobs in Liverpool: Strengthening regional innovation.

The government is determined to position the UK as a global leader in AI, building on its status as the third-largest AI market in the world. A dedicated team within DSIT will ensure the UK remains at the forefront of emerging technology by fostering innovation, guaranteeing access to data and energy, and promoting international collaboration.

The plan also aligns with the government’s broader Plan for Change, aiming to attract AI investment, support sustainable growth, and deliver world-class public services.

The AI Opportunities Action Plan sets out an ambitious roadmap for transforming public services and boosting the UK’s AI capabilities. For DDaT leaders in government, the plan offers a blueprint for using AI to address challenges, improve outcomes, and deliver value to citizens.

As the government rolls out the plan, public sector executives will play a critical role in driving adoption and ensuring AI delivers tangible benefits across departments and communities. This landmark initiative signals a clear commitment to innovation, positioning AI as a transformative force for the next decade.