Zarah ChoudharyProposals to establish the UK as a global leader in artificial intelligence (AI) will only succeed if accompanied by substantial investment in public sector technology, according to Scott Logic.
The software consultancy emphasised that addressing foundational challenges in technology infrastructure is crucial to realising the economic benefits of AI integration.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s vision of transforming the UK into an AI ‘superpower’ to stimulate economic growth hinges on broader improvements to public sector technology infrastructure.
Stephen Foreshew-Cain, CEO of Scott Logic, said: “We know the Government is looking to improve productivity, and 2025 must be the year when technology is more effectively leveraged to help the public sector do more with less.”
Foreshew-Cain highlighted AI’s potential to enhance efficiency in areas such as faster planning consultations and reducing bureaucratic burdens for medical professionals.
However, he said: “Plans to integrate AI and reap the benefits will only be achievable if additional investments are made in fixing the foundations, such as increasing capacity, improving capability, and reinforcing a culture of user-centred design with a test-and-learn mindset.”
He also pointed to the challenges posed by outdated technology platforms.
He said: “We know that many organisations are built on tech platforms that are up to four decades old.
“These systems don’t provide an effective foundation for more modern, AI-based systems to thrive.
“Leaders within these organisations must be empowered to break down silos and make the necessary investment decisions to modernise underlying architectures and infrastructure.”
Foreshew-Cain expressed concern over the risks of fragmented investment.
He said: “Only investing in certain areas of the public sector will simply serve to separate core departments that should be working together.
“If the systems used in some parts of the service are unable to communicate or integrate with those in others, the process remains inefficient.”
While acknowledging the scale of the challenges, Foreshew-Cain argued that the benefits of addressing them far outweigh the difficulties.
He said: “The savings in efficiencies and productivity, combined with the opportunity to more effectively leverage AI to its full potential, are worth any short-term pain.
“AI technologies can only be fully tapped into when they are implemented as part of services designed for their users end to end, rather than reflecting the organisational structure of Government.”
