#5 Inside Labour: Rewiring the state means getting to grips with AI
Congratulations to Chris Wormald on his appointment as Cabinet Secretary.
As Shadow Health Secretary, I worked with Chris during the Covid-19 pandemic. I am confident he will deliver the "complete rewiring of the British state" that Keir Starmer has tasked him with.
But, to succeed, he and the Government must take full advantage of AI by putting technology at the heart of Whitehall.
The prize for harnessing AI to improve public services is immense
The conversation about the role of AI in public services is often clouded by polarising narratives. Many on the Left have traditionally been overly cautious about privacy and safety, while the Tories under Rishi Sunak were starry-eyed and subservient about tech.
In fact, the path lies somewhere in the middle, with a more homespun, down-to-earth approach: AI and technology that enrich and enhance our public services by simplifying tasks and supporting and augmenting workers.
We can already see what this looks like in practice.
Predictive algorithms have drastically improved resource allocation in hospitals, optimising ward space and operating theatre schedules. Cancer diagnosis is becoming more accurate through AI-assisted imaging analysis.
In law enforcement, software that shields officers from harmful images while analysing evidence illustrates how AI can protect workers as well as boost efficiency.
A joined-up approach across government would be transformative. Analysis from the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change suggests that the UK stands to gain £40 billion per year in public-sector productivity improvements by embracing AI.
Four Priorities for Wormald
The Cabinet Secretary is an enormously influential role. Here are a few ways Chris Wormald could use that influence to embrace and embed tech across government:
The new Cabinet Secretary should show he is serious about AI by ensuring the entire Civil Service is, too. Firstly, by supporting the new Digital Centre of Government under Peter Kyle, it can serve as a home for tech strategy and expertise across government. Secondly, he should empower i.AI and 10DS and leverage the UK’s groundbreaking AI Safety Institute, ensuring that teams throughout the Civil Service can fully utilise their world-leading expertise.
The Civil Service has a long tradition of relying on smart generalists - this doesn’t cut it anymore. Instead, we should hire more digital, data, and tech specialists across Whitehall, and ensure senior leaders "get" tech. Training can offer a partial solution, but ideally, civil servants should spend time as part of a team delivering a digital service before being promoted to the senior Civil Service.
Wormald should help put in place the digital infrastructure needed to underpin AI adoption. This should include a fully functioning digital identity system and a National Data Library that supports radically better data-sharing within government as well as with researchers and entrepreneurs.
This government made a strong start by commissioning the AI Opportunities Review to understand how we can realise the benefits of AI for public services and the economy. However, it is yet to be published. Wormald should expedite its publication and urge the Civil Service to implement its recommendations, such as ensuring talented experts can come to the UK to contribute to research and development.
Keir Starmer has set out a bold vision of AI and technology at the heart of his government, transforming public services and delivering real benefits for working people. But realising this ambition demands decisive action and leadership. Chris Wormald now has the opportunity to lead this charge - embedding technology across Whitehall, galvanising the Civil Service, and ensuring the UK harnesses AI’s full potential.
Jonathan Ashworth
Chief Executive, Labour Together
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