Welsh Government to integrate digital and AI functions as part of public service transformation
Welsh Government to integrate digital and AI functions as part of public service transformation
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The Welsh Government has announced a series of initiatives to accelerate the use of artificial intelligence (AI) across public services, alongside plans to merge its digital transformation resources into a single unit.
Rebecca Evans MS, Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning, confirmed funding for a number of projects aimed at testing AI tools, developing guidance for local authorities, and delivering training for public sector workers. The investment is part of the work programme of the recently established Office for AI, which was created in June to strengthen policymaking and collaboration across Wales.
Projects already under way include evaluating AI “scribe” tools in social care assessments, trialling a chatbot for the government’s StatsWales service, and piloting a platform for public sector organisations to test and use AI applications. Other initiatives will produce guidance on deploying AI effectively and continue work with the UK Government’s “Humphrey” toolset.
Evans said the goal was to demonstrate clear benefits for public service delivery. She said: “The overarching objective is to clearly demonstrate the practical benefits that AI can offer in enhancing the delivery of public services across Wales.
“Each project will produce a lessons learned report and share best practice with others across the Welsh public sector.”
“The Welsh Government is also supporting a credit union in a collaborative AI project to automate back-office functions, while more than £440,000 from the UK Government’s Digital Inclusion Innovation Fund is being used to develop a “minimum digital living standard” for Wales. In addition, UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) has confirmed a £26 million, five-year investment in the Administrative Data Research Wales Partnership.
Evans also confirmed that the Centre for Digital Public Services (CDPS) will be integrated into the Welsh Government by April 2026, bringing its functions together with the Office for AI.
She added: “Consolidating resources in this way will streamline and strengthen the Welsh Government’s digital and AI capabilities, as well as reducing complexity and duplication,” she said. “It will bring together people who shape policy and those who deliver it.”
The Welsh Government said the move is intended to build stronger in-house capability and ensure Wales is well placed to take advantage of AI and digital opportunities in public service delivery.
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