How can government turn the promise of artificial intelligence into better public services, more effective decision-making and measurable benefits for citizens? 

The UK Government is accelerating its ambition to embed AI across the public sector, with the AI Opportunities Action Plan, published in January 2025, setting out a national drive to expand adoption, strengthen digital infrastructure and develop the skills needed to realise AI’s potential. In its January 2026 progress report, AI Opportunities Action Plan: One Year On, the government reported that it had completed 38 of the plan’s 50 actions, alongside progress on public sector deployment, national computing capacity and workforce upskilling. The report also highlighted the use of AI-assisted tools across healthcare and local government, signalling a shift from experimentation towards wider implementation. 

The Roadmap for Modern Digital Government, published in January 2026, reinforces this direction, setting out a programme of digital transformation through to 2030. Meanwhile, the government’s refreshed Data and AI Ethics Framework, published in January 2026, provides updated guidance for public bodies seeking to use emerging technologies responsibly. Together, these initiatives underline the growing importance of AI in modernising government, improving productivity and delivering more accessible, joined-up services. 

However, translating national ambition into practical results remains a significant challenge. Public bodies must navigate fragmented data, legacy systems, limited technical capacity, workforce skills gaps, procurement constraints and uncertainty around implementation. Alongside these operational barriers, concerns about data protection, cyber security, algorithmic bias, transparency and public trust must be addressed. Organisations also need to demonstrate that AI investments deliver meaningful improvements rather than simply introducing new technology into existing processes. 

The Institute of Government & Public Policy's National AI in Government 2027 will bring together public sector leaders, policymakers, digital specialists, technology providers and AI practitioners to explore practical solutions to these challenges. The programme will examine how organisations can move beyond pilots to scale effective AI applications, build the data and digital infrastructure needed for adoption, establish responsible governance, develop an AI-ready workforce and procure solutions that deliver long-term public value.  

Join the Institute of Government and Public Policy in London to explore how government can harness AI responsibly, overcome barriers to adoption and turn technological potential into measurable public service outcomes.