Value for Money

Use of artificial intelligence in government

Published 15 March 2024 10 recommendations Cross-government, Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, HM Treasury Digital transformationDigital, data and technologyInnovation in deliveryProject and service delivery nao.org.uk
AI presents the government with opportunities to transform public services potentially delivering billions of pounds in productivity savings.

Recommendations (10)

Source: NAO Recommendations Tracker
5
Accepted
5
Partially Accepted
10
In Progress
10
NAO Confirmed
Cabinet Office
Rec 1 Accepted Work in Progress
To deliver on its strategy for public sector AI adoption, the Cabinet Office should: Develop an integrated and feasible implementation plan building on individual departmental AI adoption plans and identifying common and scalable applications. It should assess the ability of the integrated plan to deliver the large-scale productivity gains it has identified.
Page 12, point a, first bullet point 2026-27 Q3
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
Rec 10 Partially Accepted Work in Progress
CDDO should work with the government functions to review existing guidance, government standards and assurance processes to ensure they adequately address the opportunities and risks of AI use and provide sufficient levers to promote safe and responsible use of AI across government, including reviewing: in collaboration with DSIT, compliance with the Algorithmic Transparency Recording Standard. This should include assessing its impact, and considering whether further levers are needed to support its implementation.
Page 13, point d, fifth bullet point 2026-27 Q3
Cabinet Office
Rec 2 Accepted Work in Progress
To deliver on its strategy for public sector AI adoption, the Cabinet Office should: Identify and publish performance metrics and supporting monitoring arrangements that reflect the strategy?s desired outcomes to promote transparency and accountability for delivery.
Page 12, point a, second bullet point 2026-27 Q3
Cabinet Office
Rec 3 Partially Accepted Work in Progress
To deliver on its strategy for public sector AI adoption, the Cabinet Office should: In collaboration with DSIT, assess the new strategy and governance arrangements to make sure they are fit for purpose and ensure effective coordination with DSIT-led AI policy for the wider economy, and review them within a year of implementation, making any changes needed.
Page 12, point a, third bullet point 2026-27 Q3 Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
Cabinet Office
Rec 4 Partially Accepted Work in Progress
The Cabinet Office should establish how government can bring together and share accessible insights from cross-government activity to identify, prioritise and test scalable AI opportunities in the public sector, including working with DSIT to leverage the wider research landscape such as UKRI's programmes.
Page 12, point b 2026-27 Q2 Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
Cabinet Office
Rec 5 Accepted Work in Progress
CDDO should continue to prioritise the 2022-2025 roadmap for digital and data, to address the legacy IT infrastructure and data quality and access barriers to adoption of AI, and ensure future plans maintain continued focus on addressing the risks that these issues pose for sustainable AI deployment.
Page 12, point c 2026-27 Q3
Cabinet Office
Rec 6 Accepted Work in Progress
CDDO should work with the government functions to review existing guidance, government standards and assurance processes to ensure they adequately address the opportunities and risks of AI use and provide sufficient levers to promote safe and responsible use of AI across government, including reviewing: the assurance controls for digital and technology spend
Page 13, point d, first bullet point 2026-27 Q2
Cabinet Office
Rec 7 Accepted Work in Progress
CDDO should work with the government functions to review existing guidance, government standards and assurance processes to ensure they adequately address the opportunities and risks of AI use and provide sufficient levers to promote safe and responsible use of AI across government, including reviewing: arrangements for providing independent technical assurance for procured AI.
Page 13, point d, second bullet point 2026-27 Q1
Cabinet Office
Rec 8 Partially Accepted Work in Progress
CDDO should work with the government functions to review existing guidance, government standards and assurance processes to ensure they adequately address the opportunities and risks of AI use and provide sufficient levers to promote safe and responsible use of AI across government, including reviewing: in collaboration with the Government Analysis Function, how proposed updates to guidance on quality assurance and use of AI in analysis can be aligned with CDDO?s wider guidance on the use of AI.
Page 13, point d, third bullet point 2026-27 Q1 Analysis Function
Cabinet Office
Rec 9 Partially Accepted Work in Progress
CDDO should work with the government functions to review existing guidance, government standards and assurance processes to ensure they adequately address the opportunities and risks of AI use and provide sufficient levers to promote safe and responsible use of AI across government, including reviewing: in collaboration with DSIT, alignment of government standards with global AI standards where appropriate.
Page 13, point d, fourth bullet point 2026-27 Q2 Department for Science, Innovation and Technology