UK Public Sector Officials Show Growing Awareness of GenAI, But Confidence Varies

A survey carried out between mid-July and late August 2025 gathered responses from people working in UK public sector roles (central/local government, health, finance, education, etc.). They asked about understanding, confidence, and use of generative AI tools. The results show growing awareness: many public servants are aware of the potential for generative AI and are interested in using it for efficiency, automation, and improving services. But confidence in doing so is inconsistent.

Some sectors, particularly those already more digitised (like finance or digital transformation), reported higher levels of confidence and use. Others (those less used to working with emerging tech) felt more cautious: concerns over data privacy, governance, ensuring safety and accuracy were often mentioned. Not everyone has clear guidance inside their organisation about what kind of AI use is allowed or how to manage risk.

This trend suggests that even in government, where resources and oversight should be stronger than in many private organisations, the move to use AI effectively is uneven. The gap between “willingness to use AI” and “being ready to use it well” is real. For educators and parents, this matters: it implies that as new tools come into schools, it's not enough to introduce them; there must be guidance, clarity, and time for people (teachers, administrators, students) to adapt and learn what “responsible AI use” really means.