Government backs AI projects to boost public sector productivity

8 Aug 24

Labour has publicly backed Artificial Intelligence as a way to boost productivity in public services even in the face of spending cuts.

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Image © William Potter/Shutterstock

The party had promised to bring the health service into the “digital age” if it won the election, including using AI to improve efficiency. 

Back in March, Health Secretary Wes Streeting said: “Hours of doctors’ and nurses’ time is wasted by outdated equipment. Labour will bring our ­analogue service into the digital age. As a first step, we will put artificial intelligence technology in every hospital, and make proper use of the NHS app to give patients real choice and control.”

The government has now said said it will provide funding of £32m to 98 AI projects across the UK, which will benefit over 200 businesses and research organisations.

This comes despite finance minister Rachel Reeves telling parliament last week her Conservative predecessor had left public spending on track to go over budget by nearly £22bn this year and announcing an immediate £5.5bn of cuts.

Ministers say pharmacies that deliver prescriptions are amongst the public services that will benefit from the new AI funding, as part of the government’s mission to build an NHS fit for the future.

Nottingham-based Anteam is looking at developing technology to improve the efficiency of pharmacy deliveries using AI algorithms. It is hoped this will also cut carbon emissions and deliver a better experience for patients. 

Other companies set to benefit are those developing AI to improve safety on construction sites, reduce time spent repairing the railways and cut emissions across supply chains.

Another project is looking into developing an autonomous system that can monitor, manage, and identify defects on rail infrastructure across the country. 

Labour says this represents a significant step forward for the British public, boosting the efficiency and safety of the railway network.

Minister for AI and digital government Feryal Clark said: “AI will deliver real change for working people across the UK – not only growing our economy but improving our public services.

“That’s why our support for initiatives like this will be so crucial – backing a range of projects which could reduce train delays, give us new ways of maintaining our vital infrastructure, and improve experiences for patients by making it easier to get their prescriptions to them.

“We want technology to boost growth and deliver change right across the board, and I’m confident projects like these will help us realise that ambition.”

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