New research suggests AI could drastically cut administrative tasks in the UK public sector.
- Public sector workers face excessive administrative burdens impacting their job performance and morale.
- AI implementation could free significant hours for frontline services provided by doctors, nurses, teachers, and police officers.
- A comprehensive strategy is proposed for AI adoption in the public sector, led by government and industry collaboration.
- Rapid AI advancements are poised to transform UK public service delivery, positioning the country as a leader in innovation.
The recent research commissioned by Microsoft highlights a pressing issue within the UK’s public sector—an overwhelming administrative workload that detracts from essential frontline services. The study, led by Dr Chris Brauer, reveals the transformative potential of artificial intelligence to reduce these burdens, thereby enhancing efficiency and worker satisfaction.
With over 5.93 million public sector employees, AI could save an estimated 23 million hours weekly by cutting down repetitive admin tasks. Specifically, doctors could save four hours, nurses five hours, teachers two hours, and police officers 6.5 hours per week, significantly improving service delivery to the public.
Currently, public sector employees spend an average of over eight hours weekly on information and data management. This heavy administrative workload is negatively impacting employee wellbeing, with 45% reporting unnecessary tasks affecting their mental health. 54% of respondents experience reduced job satisfaction due to admin duties, and 48% feel it compromises service quality.
Dr Brauer emphasises the critical juncture faced by the public sector, noting the essential role of Generative AI and large language models in governmental operations. “Governments must avoid inertia and embrace AI’s transformative potential,” he stated. The call to action is clear—a strategic implementation of AI could redefine public service operations nationwide.
To capitalise on AI’s promise, the report suggests establishing a National AI Delivery Centre and promoting ‘AI for All’ principles to protect and train public sector employees. Further, it advocates for a comprehensive upskilling strategy, modernisation of data infrastructure, and an AI-First procurement policy to accelerate AI adoption across all levels of government.
Hugh Milward from Microsoft UK highlights AI’s capacity to not only alleviate administrative pressures but also to drive economic growth and improve service delivery. This strategic investment could position the UK as a global leader in AI innovation, enhancing the public sector’s capacity to serve citizens effectively.
Embracing AI in the UK public sector could redefine service delivery, driving both efficiency and innovation.
