UK Government launches Artificial Intelligence Playbook

The AI Playbook highlights the significant opportunities AI offers to reduce costs and improve services, which was emphasised in their State of Digital Government Review 2025. It also underscores the importance of understanding the constraints and potential risks of the technology.

Developed as a vital resource for UK civil servants, it is aimed to help them understand what AI can and cannot do, how it can assist, and the ethical, legal, privacy, sustainability, and security risks it poses. Freely accessible on GOV.UK, it supports government departments, arm’s length bodies, and public sector organisations, catering to civil servants with varying levels of digital knowledge.

The playbook updates and expands on previous guidance, covering a wide range of AI technologies, including generative AI, machine learning, deep learning, natural language processing, computer vision, and speech recognition. It is organised into five parts:

10 Principles: Key principles for civil servants using AI in government.

Introducing AI: Foundations, applications, capabilities, and limitations of AI.

Building AI: Guidance for roles working on AI projects, including user research, team building, and procurement.

Using AI Safely and Responsibly: Legal, ethical, security, and governance aspects of AI projects.

AI Use Cases: Case studies on AI solutions in the public sector.

Each section includes practical checklists and recommendations for developing AI projects. For more technical insights, the playbook also features a series of AI Insights articles.

Click here to read the AI Playbook.

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To support communications professionals in Ireland in the effective use of AI and to reflect both the opportunities and challenges presented by AI technologies, PRII launched its AI in PR Usage Guidelines for Members last summer. Click here to access them.