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AI saves at least an hour weekly for half of staff in several departments
The latest Civil Service People Survey found that around half or more of staff in several Whitehall departments said AI tools saved them at least an hour a week. The figures underline how AI is becoming part of government work, while raising questions about the accuracy and originality of its output and the protection of sensitive information.
The survey drew responses from 343,961 staff across 102 public bodies. The share reporting at least an hour saved was 57 per cent in the science and technology department, 54 per cent in business and trade, 50 per cent in the Treasury, 49 per cent in energy and 48 per cent in the Foreign Office; the Whitehall-wide figure was 27 per cent. The figures emerged as Andy Burnham faced criticism after a Downing Street aide was seen using ChatGPT to help edit a speech for him, and a departmental study found AI saved time on some tasks but made data analysis take longer.
In short
- 27 per cent of civil servants said AI saved them at least an hour weekly.
- Several departments reported figures close to or above half.
- Burnham faced questions after an aide used ChatGPT on a speech.
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The case for
AI tools could help civil servants complete routine work more quickly, freeing time for complex tasks and improving public services. The survey suggests these gains are already being reported by many staff in some departments, and careful use with human review could make government work more efficient.
The case against
Reported time savings do not establish that the work is more accurate or that the overall process is faster; one departmental study found AI made data analysis take longer. Errors, unoriginal output and exposure of sensitive information could undermine public trust or create extra work, so use in government may warrant caution and clear safeguards.
Explained simply
Whitehall is the collective name for the UK government’s central departments, which develop policy and deliver public services. Civil servants use digital tools for tasks such as drafting, research and analysing information, though the work can involve confidential material and decisions that need careful checking.
AI tools generate or analyse content in response to instructions, and government departments have been exploring how they might assist staff. Their use raises practical questions about whether outputs are accurate, whether they reflect original work and how sensitive information is handled.
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Originally published by Daily Mail as “Half of civil servants at several Whitehall departments admit using AI to save time at work as Andy Burnham faces fresh questions over speechwriter using it to help craft keynote speech”.