Staff are invited to pitch ideas for a £50,000 support grant which can bring AI solutions to fruition.
Applications are already open for the Civil Service AI and Data Challenge. The latest round follows the format previous iterations — anyone who has identified challenges, efficiency failings and obstacles relating to public sector tasks that artificial intelligence could overcome can submit suggestions.
Previous winners of the £50,000 support grant, delivered by NTT Data, which goes towards developing high tech solutions, include the use of aerial photographs to create detailed maps of peatlands. This helped build a detailed overview of natural carbon storage locations and flood defences, identify where restoration work is needed, helping support wildlife maintenance and recovery.
The results can be seen in the England Peat Map. Other suggestions amongst the hundreds of preceding applications ranged from optimising prison space to detecting modern slavery with the use of technology.
‘Every corner of government can benefit from AI. We’re asking civil servants to put their brightest, boldest ideas forward so we can use tech to fix our broken public services as rapidly as possible,’ said Technology Minister Ian Murray. ‘Whether it’s cutting waiting times, tackling fraud or helping businesses grow, this challenge is about unlocking the full potential of data and AI as we continue innovating to boost productivity and deliver our Plan for Change.’
‘Over the years, we’ve seen great ideas emerge from civil servants of all professions, roles and grades. And you don’t need to bring your own idea to take part: anyone can join one of our project teams,’ added David Filmer, NTT DATA UK&I’s Head of Public Sector. ‘Innovation in government thrives when civil servants are given the time, support and guidance to develop their ideas – and that’s exactly what the Civil Service AI and Data Challenge.’
Image: Riccardo Annandale / Unsplash
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