Only 5% of civil servants have had any training in AI

The Government might bang on about how the UK is a world leader in technology and artificial intelligence but it seems ministers need to look closer to home, with the majority of civil servants crying out to learn new digital skills, but only 5% have received any AI or machine learning training.

That is according to a new report by the Global Government Forum, which quizzed around 1,000 civil servants, and found that while 78% of respondents would like more digital skills training, many do not feel confident in their own or in their department’s digital skills.

While nearly all civil servants believe technology is “key to unlocking public sector transformation” and are committed to innovating the way services are delivered, only six out of ten 60% believe they have an intermediate, advanced or highly specialised skills and knowledge of how technology and data can transform services.

And there is lower confidence among officials that their department has the tools, resources and skills necessary to utilise technology in transforming the public services they deliver, the survey found.

The report stated: “Limited understanding of more advanced technologies is hampering ambitions to make better use of digital and civil servants need to know what advanced technologies are, to know if they can be useful.”

The skills base is particularly low when it comes to AI. A third of those surveyed said they have very few or no skills or knowledge in how AI and automation can be used to improve public services, with only 5% having received any training in the technology. Less than a quarter of civil servants agree that their department has the necessary skills and expertise in AI or machine learning.

The survey also found that civil servants believe digital transformation is held back by legacy technology, budget constraints and a lack of training opportunities, with those surveyed believing that “legacy technology that is no longer fit for purpose” and budget constraints are among the key barriers.

The report concluded: “These two areas – along with concerns over a lack of fit-for-purpose civil service funded training opportunities – were the top factors when officials were asked what single action their department or organisation should undertake to improve its ability to use technology to innovate and transform public services.”