Artificial intelligence promises to transform how the public sector works, offering opportunities for smarter policy-making insights and faster citizen-focused services. So, it’s no surprise that AI is increasingly at the centre of the Government’s digital transformation agenda.
Recent initiatives such as the AI Opportunities Action Plan and the AI Exemplars programme highlight the ambition to responsibly and effectively embed AI into public sector operations. But, despite the increasing enthusiasm for AI, the pace of adoption across the public sector remains uneven. Many departments are still navigating how to move beyond initial ideation and pilots to sustainable, operational AI.
For public sector leaders, the question has moved on from “what can AI do?” to “how do we make it work in practice and at scale?” And to answer the question, organisations need to understand what it means to operationalise AI and if they have the foundations required to make it a reality.
Operationalising AI looks beyond proof of concepts, exemplars or experiments in isolation. It requires organisations to build the systems, processes and culture that make AI usable and value-adding at scale. This includes:
AI also shouldn’t be seen as just another tool for technology teams. When embedded into the core operations, it can empower the whole organisation, enabling better insights, faster decision-making and more efficient workflows. But, to be effective, it requires organisation-wide cultural change, shifting behaviours, mindsets and ways of working so AI can be used effectively, responsibly and sustainably.
As one of the few consultancies recognised by the Crown Commercial Services (CCS) able to work at the scale required for central government, Equal Experts is well-positioned to help organisations move beyond hype and operationalise AI within the public sector.
Working with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), we demonstrated how AI can responsibly enhance software delivery without compromising quality, ethics, or compliance. With our support, Defra was able to embed AI into core activities, including code generation, testing, backlog refinement and technical analysis. It provided Defra with early proof that disciplined, structured AI adoption can drive meaningful impact, setting the stage for broader, scalable change. It also resulted in the Defra AI SDLC Playbook, a structured, evolving guide to integrating AI into software engineering workflows responsibly.
Reflecting on the growing momentum across government, Lewis Crawford from the Equal Experts Office of AI said: "We're excited to be supporting the government's AI direction, and to get stuck into the practical reality of operationalising AI. It’s a big topic and one we’re proud to be shaping through delivery, not just discussion.”
Equal Experts will be expanding on this theme at the Government Transformation Summit in Manchester on 27 November 2025, bringing together public sector peers with technology and AI experts at the “Operationalising AI in the public sector” roundtable.
One of the key elements set to be discussed in the roundtable is the data foundations required for effective AI. AI systems are only as effective as the data powering them, and for many public sector organisations, data remains a significant barrier to realising the potential of AI.
This year’s State of Digital Government report found that 70% of leaders say their organisation’s data landscape is fragmented, underused and does not provide a single source of truth. Policies and workflows around data are often ad hoc and poorly documented, making it difficult to articulate rules and processes in a way AI systems can understand and use.
With a mature data function, organisations can drive and elevate the use of data across all business functions. It supports faster, data-driven decision-making, streamlining of operations and, crucially, adoption of AI at its full potential.
Equal Experts’ latest ebook, Unlocking Public Sector Potential: A Data Journey to AI Readiness, outlines a clear, practical roadmap for departments to strengthen their data maturity. Drawing on more than 15 years of experience working with the public sector in the UK, it identifies the key building blocks required to unlock the full value of data and lay the groundwork for responsible, scalable AI adoption.
AI may be dominating today’s transformation discussions, but only those who are ready to act on the opportunity will see real progress. By investing in strong data foundations and organisation-wide culture change, departments can move beyond AI experimentation to real, lasting impact. At Equal Experts, we’re proud to work alongside the public sector on the journey to data maturity and turning AI’s potential into a trusted, operational reality.
Further information:
Equal Experts Data Ebook Landing Page