The UK Government is looking at the possible links between the wider use of AI and the headcount in the Civil Service.
Feryal Clark, the minister for AI and digital government, acknowledged the possibility of reducing the number of civil servants in a carefully worded reply to a parliamentary question.
Asked by Conservative MP John Glen if the ministerial team in the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) is planning to use AI to increase productivity and reduce the headcount, Clark responded that DSIT and individual departments are exploring how the technology could improve productivity.
She said they are collaborating to explore opportunities, “including trials to assess the real world impact”.
Full consideration
Clark added: “Decisions on the future size of the Civil Service will form a key part of the next comprehensive Spending Review. Therefore, a proper and full consideration, including AI, will be given to this in due course, and the Cabinet Office will work closely with HM Treasury on the development of these plans.”
The exchange came days after DSIT announced the beginning of work on an action plan to accelerate the use of AI, including in public services, and the Incubator for AI unit in the department revealed that it had developed a taxonomy for the use of the technology in government.
Last year the Cabinet Office produced guidance on the use of generative AI civil servants that emphasised the need for caution.
