AI to hit UK government like a tsunami, warns top MP

AI is approaching government like a tsunami, the chair of Parliament’s spending watchdog has warned. Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, chair of the Committee of Public Accounts, made the warning in his annual report, published on Wednesday (14 October).

“AI is approaching government like a tsunami, and I remain sceptical that government is prepared for the enormity of this challenge,” said Clifton-Brown.

He said he remained unconvinced that the civil service had the skills, expertise and capability needed to harness the technology.

Government has set out planned reforms. However, the committee said it remains unclear how they combine into a coherent plan to close the digital skills gap, or by when.

Clifton-Brown also warned that repeated machinery of government changes could further hamper progress. He pointed to the most recent example, the creation of the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade.

Around 6% of civil servants work in digital and data roles, short of the level in many high-performing organisations.

Government wants to increase this share to 10%. The committee said this will require a sustained effort to recruit, develop and retain specialist staff.

The report said hostile states and criminals are using AI and digital technology to develop more sophisticated ways to attack government systems.

Fraudsters are also exploiting generative AI, leaving departments at serious risk of falling behind, the committee said.

Government aims to make almost £14 billion in efficiency gains by 2028–29 and cut central administration budgets by a further £2 billion.

The committee said AI could free up staff time for higher-value work, but only with active training in how to use it.

Clifton-Brown named the Operational Delivery Profession, which counts over 290,000 civil servants as members, as one of the better vehicles for that upskilling.

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