Government centralises AI strategy and public sector adoption
New AI Taskforce will oversee government AI strategy, implementation and adoption across the public sector.
The UK government has established a new AI Taskforce to direct its AI strategy and oversee AI adoption across the public sector, completing a wider reorganisation that has moved responsibility for AI into the Office for the Prime Minister and the Cabinet.
The Taskforce follows last week's abolition of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and will support AI Minister Kanishka Narayan, who now attends Cabinet. Lord Vallance has been appointed chair.
Its remit includes directing the government's overall AI strategy, leading AI adoption across public services and overseeing implementation of the Prime Minister's AI agenda. Responsibility for the AI Security Institute will also transfer to the Office for the Prime Minister and the Cabinet.
The new Taskforce brings responsibility for AI strategy, implementation and adoption into a single organisation. Successful adoption across government will depend on civil servants and leaders developing the skills to use AI.
The government said the Taskforce would follow elements of the Vaccines Taskforce model, operating with clear accountability to the Prime Minister and a mandate to accelerate delivery.
For learning and workforce capability professionals, the announcement signals that AI adoption across government is moving from policy development towards implementation. The Taskforce's remit places responsibility for coordinating AI adoption across departments at the centre of government.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said the new arrangements would put AI 'at the very centre of government' to support public service transformation and economic growth.
Narayan said AI would have a permanent place at the Cabinet table as the government expanded its use across public services and the wider economy.
Lord Vallance previously served as the UK's Government Chief Scientific Adviser and led the Vaccines Taskforce during the COVID-19 pandemic. He will report directly to the Prime Minister in his role as chair of the AI Taskforce.