The UK government has launched its Artificial Intelligence (AI) Playbook to guide public sector organisations in safely and effectively implementing AI.
This comprehensive resource offers practical guidance, real-world examples, and expert insights to maximise AI’s potential while mitigating risks, driving innovation and improving public services
The UK government has placed artificial intelligence (AI) at the forefront of its strategy for economic growth and improved public services.
Recognising the transformative potential of AI, while also acknowledging the inherent risks, the Technology Secretary has launched the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Playbook for the UK Government. This comprehensive resource provides guidance for departments and public sector organisations on the safe and effective implementation of AI technologies.
This article explores the playbook’s purpose, content, development, and future direction, highlighting its importance in navigating the evolving landscape of AI in the public sector.
Why an AI Playbook?
The State of Digital Government Review 2025 emphasises the potential of AI to reduce costs and enhance public service delivery. However, realising this potential requires a clear understanding of AI’s capabilities and limitations.
The AI Playbook aims to equip civil servants with this knowledge, addressing the need for informed decision-making regarding AI adoption. It is crucial for public sector employees to grasp not only the potential benefits of AI, but also the ethical, legal, privacy, sustainability, and security risks associated with its implementation.
The playbook serves as a central resource, accessible to all on GOV.UK, catering to individuals with varying levels of digital literacy, from those working directly in digital and data roles to policy professionals and decision-makers.
What the AI Playbook offers
The AI Playbook is designed to be a practical and accessible guide, offering clear explanations of AI technologies, real-world use cases, and corporate guidance for policy professionals and decision-makers. It also provides technical advice for digital and data professionals on procuring, implementing, and utilising AI solutions. The playbook is structured into five key sections:
- 10 Principles:
- This section outlines the core principles that should guide all civil servants when using AI within government contexts. These principles emphasise ethical considerations, transparency, accountability, and fairness.
- Introducing AI:
- This section provides a foundational understanding of AI, including generative AI, its applications, capabilities, and limitations. It aims to demystify AI for all civil servants, regardless of their technical background.
- Building AI:
- This section is geared towards individuals working directly on AI projects. It offers both corporate and technical guidance, covering topics such as determining the suitability of AI for a given task, identifying inappropriate use cases, conducting user research, building AI teams, and navigating the procurement process.
- Using AI Safely and Responsibly:
- This section addresses the critical legal, ethical, security, and governance aspects of AI projects. It explores issues such as bias in algorithms, data privacy, copyright, data protection, and cybersecurity, providing essential considerations for team leaders and senior decision-makers.
- Appendix with AI Use Cases in the Public Sector:
- This section showcases real-world examples of AI and generative AI solutions developed across the public sector. These case studies, written by the development teams themselves, offer valuable insights and practical learning opportunities.
Each section includes checklists with actionable recommendations. For more in-depth technical discussions, the government has also launched a series of AI Insights articles.
Development and collaboration
The AI Playbook is the result of extensive collaboration involving over 50 experts from the Government Digital Service (GDS) and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), contributions from over 20 government departments and public sector organisations, and peer review from industry and academic advisors.
This collaborative approach ensures that the playbook reflects a wide range of perspectives and expertise. Complementing the playbook are new AI courses on Civil Service Learning and off-the-shelf training on Government Campus, developed in partnership with leading tech firms and the Government Skills unit.
The future of AI within the UK Government
Recognising the rapid pace of advancements in AI, the government is committed to regularly updating the AI Playbook. The AI Insights publications will delve into specific AI topics in greater detail. To foster community and knowledge sharing, the government has established an Artificial Intelligence Community of Practice, offering meet-ups and newsletters. Free e-learning courses on Civil Service Learning are also available to support the safe and effective implementation of AI solutions.
These initiatives demonstrate the government’s ongoing commitment to responsible AI adoption, maximising its potential for public good while mitigating potential risks. By providing accessible resources and fostering a culture of learning, the UK government is laying the groundwork for a future where AI empowers public services and drives economic growth.
