AI in Government 2026

How can artificial intelligence be harnessed to deliver smarter, fairer, and more efficient public services?

As the government at all levels faces increasing demand to modernise services, reduce inefficiencies, and improve citizen outcomes, artificial intelligence is emerging as a powerful enabler of public sector reform. The UK Government has committed over £1 billion to AI development through its National AI Strategy, with a strong focus on the safe, transparent, and responsible adoption of AI across departments and local authorities. However, as outlined in the UK Parliament's Science, Innovation and Technology Committee report, the Use of AI in Government, the government must lead by example in developing and implementing trustworthy AI systems. The report warns of a lack of strategic coordination and calls for urgent action to ensure public sector adoption is transparent, ethical, and inclusive. With the UK Government's National AI Strategy and Central Digital and Data Office (CDDO) driving AI modernisation, the sector now faces critical questions around governance, regulation, procurement, and workforce readiness.

In January 2025, the government published the AI Opportunities Action Plan, confirming plans to make the UK a world leader in artificial intelligence, ranging from expanding sovereign compute capacity, to piloting AI across public services, creating AI Growth Zones, and unlocking public sector data through a National Data Library. This plan builds on a pro-innovation, pro-growth stance, pushing for agile deployment while ensuring transparency and trust. However, public sector adoption is still in its infancy, with many organisations grappling with legacy systems, workforce readiness, ethical concerns, and a lack of practical guidance on procurement and implementation.

The Institute of Government & Public Policy's AI in Local and Central Conference 2026 will bring together senior leaders from central and local government, policy-makers, digital transformation leads, and technology providers to explore how AI can be deployed responsibly and effectively within the public sector.

Join the Institute of Government & Public Policy's AI in Local and Central Conference 2026, and explore how AI is already reshaping policy-making, service delivery, and citizen interaction. Don't miss out, secure your place at the conference today. Free code: IGPP-AIG (free of charge to the public and voluntary sector)