The UK government has unveiled groundbreaking results from a large-scale trial showing that generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools can save civil servants nearly two full working weeks annually. Over 20,000 civil servants across multiple departments used AI-powered solutions such as Microsoft 365 Copilot for three months, cutting down routine administrative tasks and enabling more focus on impactful public service work.
AI Trial Demonstrates Significant Time Savings for Civil Servants
The government-led trial involved more than 20,000 civil servants who integrated AI tools into their daily workflows. On average, participants saved approximately 26 minutes per day by using AI to draft documents, summarise meetings and emails, manage schedules, and prepare reports. This time saving translates to about 9.5 working days—or nearly two weeks—of additional productivity per person each year.
To put this into perspective, the time saved across the trial group is equivalent to giving 1,130 civil servants a full year back annually to focus on higher-value tasks such as innovation, policy development, and personalised citizen support rather than routine administration.
Broad Departmental Participation and Diverse AI Applications
The trial spanned a wide range of government departments, including:
- Companies House
- Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)
- HM Revenue & Customs
- Home Office
- Ministry of Justice
- Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
- Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office
- Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
- Welsh Government
- Office for National Statistics
In these departments, AI tools helped streamline workflows. For example, Work Coaches at DWP used AI to provide more personalised and efficient support to jobseekers. The Alan Turing Institute’s research supports these findings, estimating that AI could assist with up to 41% of public sector tasks and reduce time spent on routine email drafting by 70%.
AI Tools Enhance Public Consultation Analysis
Beyond routine office tasks, the UK government has developed its own AI suite, known as “Humphrey,” to improve civil service efficiency. One tool in this suite, called “Consult,” was trialed in Scotland to analyse responses to public consultations, specifically on regulating non-surgical cosmetic procedures like lip fillers and laser hair removal.
Consult processed nearly 2,000 responses in a matter of hours, identifying key themes with accuracy comparable to human analysts. This tool does not replace civil servants but assists them by providing initial categorisations that experts can refine. If deployed across the government’s 500+ annual consultations, Consult could save an estimated 75,000 man-days of analysis and approximately £20 million in salary costs each year.
Government Officials and Industry Leaders Endorse AI Integration
UK Technology Secretary Peter Kyle highlighted the trial’s success at SXSW London, stating:
“AI isn’t just a future promise – it’s a present reality. Whether it’s helping draft documents, preparing lesson plans or cutting down on routine admin, AI tools are saving civil servants time every day. That means we can focus more on delivering faster, more personalised support where it really counts.” He added that AI helps reduce red tape and makes better use of taxpayers’ money.
Alexander Iosad, Director of Government Innovation Policy at the Tony Blair Institute, urged rapid expansion beyond pilot projects:
“Reimagining the day-to-day work of the state with AI at its heart can save billions every year. Now is the time to move quickly from pilots to widespread deployment, freeing officials to focus on delivering for the public.”
Microsoft UK’s CEO Darren Hardman also emphasized AI’s transformative potential across sectors including social care and healthcare, reinforcing the government’s vision of a more agile, technology-driven public service.
Strategic Push Toward a Modern, Efficient Public Sector
This AI trial aligns with the UK government’s broader Plan for Change, which aims to modernise public services and generate £45 billion in annual savings through digitalisation. The plan targets automation of service delivery (£36 billion), migration of services online (£4 billion), and fraud reduction via digital compliance (£6 billion).
By automating routine tasks, AI frees civil servants to focus on complex and impactful work, improving service quality and responsiveness. The use of AI in public consultation analysis also promises faster policy feedback integration, enhancing democratic engagement and decision-making.
The successful trial of AI tools among UK civil servants marks a pivotal moment in public sector innovation. Saving nearly two weeks of work annually per employee represents a substantial productivity boost, enabling government workers to prioritise higher-value activities that directly benefit citizens.
With strong endorsements from government leaders and technology experts, the UK is poised to accelerate AI adoption across departments, driving efficiency, cost savings, and improved public service delivery at scale. As AI technologies evolve, their integration into government workflows will likely become a cornerstone of a modern, agile, and citizen-focused civil service.
