Across the UK, people rely on public services that often involve long waits, repetitive processes, and systems that are hard to update quickly. Government has said modern technology can help make services faster, safer and more reliable for everyday use.
The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology has announced that leading British AI specialists will join government to modernise public services and strengthen national security through a new national programme.
The UK government has announced a new cohort of AI fellows who will spend the next year developing open-source tools to improve public services, including transport maintenance and secure decision support for national security.
The programme is backed by a $1 million investment from Meta and will be delivered through the Alan Turing Institute, alongside a partnership with Anthropic to pilot an optional AI assistant for job seekers.
Announcement and Programme Scope
The department said the new cohort of AI fellows will work across public services, including transport and national security, to modernise systems used in everyday operations. The programme is intended to improve reliability, speed, and safety in areas where digital tools support frontline delivery.
The fellows will focus on building open-source solutions that can be shared across government services. Officials said the work will address practical challenges faced by public bodies in maintaining infrastructure and supporting service users.
- Public service modernisation
- Open-source tool development
- Frontline system support
Funding, Partners, and Delivery Model
The government said the programme is supported by external investment and delivered through a national research institute to embed AI expertise within public sector teams. Officials said this structure is intended to connect academic research, industry capability, and service delivery.
A separate partnership was announced to develop an optional AI assistant for public services, beginning with support for job seekers. The tool will provide career guidance and employment-related assistance during its initial pilot phase.
Programme Partners and Roles
| Department for Science, Innovation and Technology | Set the programme framework and linked it to the government’s wider digital transformation agenda. |
| Alan Turing Institute | Delivering the programme and supporting the placement of AI fellows across government teams. |
| Meta | Providing financial backing to support the programme’s development and delivery. |
| Anthropic | Partnering with government to build and pilot an optional AI assistant for public services. |
Applications in Transport and Infrastructure
Officials said the fellows will develop AI models that analyse images and videos to support transport maintenance. The approach is intended to help councils prioritise infrastructure repairs more effectively.
The department said this work will support more consistent decision-making for frontline teams responsible for maintaining public assets. The aim is to improve service reliability in areas that affect daily travel and safety.
- Image and video analysis
- Infrastructure repair support
- Service reliability improvements
National Security and Secure Systems Development
The department said specialists will develop AI tools designed to operate offline or within secured networks. These systems are intended to support national security and defence teams while protecting sensitive data.
Officials said the focus is on ensuring digital tools can be used in restricted environments without compromising information security. The work is part of the wider effort to modernise essential government systems.
Planned Areas for Secure AI
| Offline operation | AI tools designed to function without external connectivity in restricted environments. |
| Protected networks | Systems intended for use within secure government and defence infrastructure. |
| Decision support | Tools to assist teams making operational decisions while safeguarding sensitive information. |
Digital Transformation Roadmap and CustomerFirst
The department said the programme forms part of the government’s wider digital transformation agenda and a plan to modernise Whitehall using emerging technologies. Officials referenced the roadmap launched in January 2025, which builds on the AI Opportunities Action Plan.
The government also highlighted CustomerFirst, a team within the department focused on reducing long wait times, repetitive form-filling, and outdated processes across public services. The initiative is led by Tristan Thomas, formerly of Monzo, with Greg Jackson, CEO of Octopus Energy, as its first co-chair.
Stakeholder Comments
Ministerial Comments
Ian Murray, Minister for Data and Modern Digital Government said;
“A digital world needs a modern, digital government. That is why we are enlisting the homegrown talent we already have to elevate our public services.”
Ian Murray, Minister for Data and Modern Digital Government said;
“Having met the fellows I know they will play a pivotal role in re-wiring our healthcare, police, transport systems and more, to make sure hardworking people benefit from the opportunities that only technologies like AI can deliver.”
Rob Sherman, VP, Deputy Chief Privacy Officer, Policy, at Meta said;
“Meta is proud to help bring top British AI talent into government, fast-tracking the transformation of public services. By placing AI experts at the heart of government institutions, we’re accelerating meaningful change and ensuring these benefits reach everyone.”
Pip White, Head of UK, Ireland and Northern Europe at Anthropic said;
“We’re excited to partner with the UK government to help deliver on the AI Opportunities Action Plan. It demonstrates how frontier AI can be deployed safely for the public benefit.”
Professor Mark Girolami, Acting CEO and Chief Scientist at the Alan Turing Institute said;
“AI has huge potential to help us anticipate risks, improve decision making and boost productivity, strengthening the UK’s resilience and prosperity. The new fellows will play an important role in putting effective AI tools into the hands of our public servants.”
The Takeaway
The department said the AI fellows will spend the next year developing tools aimed at improving everyday public services, including transport maintenance and secure decision support.
Officials also confirmed the pilot of an optional AI assistant to support people seeking employment. The work was described as part of the government’s wider effort to modernise digital systems across public services.
Sources: Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, The Rt Hon Ian Murray MP and the Alan Turing Institute.
Prepared by Ivan Alexander Golden, Founder of THX News, an independent news organisation delivering timely insights from global official sources. Combines AI-analysed research with human-edited accuracy and context.
