What a haul!
This year, civil servants submitted 252 ideas for how to make better use of data and apply AI in government. That’s 160% more ideas than last year, and a third more than our previous best – which came in our first year of operation, 2021.
We’re now planning a series of workshops to examine the most promising ideas, working with our new judges: Aimee Smith, the new Government Chief Data Officer, and Kalbir Sohi, the equally fresh Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer of Government Digital Service.
Thanks to everyone who sent in an idea or volunteered to join a team; if we haven’t yet got back to you, we will do!
“Every corner of government can benefit from AI. We’re asking civil servants to put their brightest, boldest ideas forward so we can use tech to fix our broken public services as rapidly as possible.
Whether it’s cutting waiting times, tackling fraud or helping businesses grow, this challenge is about unlocking the full potential of data and AI as we continue innovating to boost productivity and deliver our Plan for Change.”
The Rt Hon Ian Murray MP
Minister of State, Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport
Learn more via Natural England’s blog and in Global Government Forum’s feature.
The very first Challenge was won by Natural England’s “AI4Peat” project, which aimed to use AI to map peatland drainage channels and support restoration work. Judges called the project “outstandingly innovative”, with the potential to cut carbon emissions, save public money and reduce flood risk.
The Challenge gave Natural England’s project team a “pathway to an innovative space that you wouldn’t reach through the usual structures,” commented Mary Vayou, the agency’s principal adviser on data science. “It’s been a game-changer.” In 2025, Natural England announced that the project had been completed – creating “the most up-to-date, complete and useable map of England’s peat available.”
Why join a team?
Participating in the Challenge is a career accelerator. You’ll:
- Build skills in digital project management, AI and data, research, stakeholder management, business planning and public speaking.
- Gain experience of working in an interdisciplinary, cross-departmental team.
- Present your ideas to senior leaders and raise your profile across government.
- Build new contacts inside and outside the Civil Service.
- Have the chance to see your project move into delivery.
- Receive formal recognition from senior leaders for your contribution.
We need people with all kinds of skills, from all professions, and operating in every field of policy making and service delivery. This year the programme has been streamlined to focus effort around a handful of key events, making participation manageable while strengthening the support provided.
How it works
Civil servants submit their ideas and volunteer to participate. The most promising ideas are identified at workshops, then developed by interdisciplinary, cross-departmental teams in a research phase and at a hackathon, with the best progressing to the Grand Finale. The winning team secures £50,000 of technical support from NTT DATA to help turn their idea into reality, and also benefits from the public and private backing of our Champions, Judges and Sponsors – departmental leaders and digital chiefs from across government.
From the top
The Challenge has the visible backing of senior leaders across government. Champions give the programme profile and authority, encouraging civil servants to take part and helping successful projects find support at the highest levels. Judges test and refine the best ideas, selecting those with the greatest potential. And Sponsors — predominantly Chief Data Officers — gather ideas and help projects gain the backing and resources they need.
Together, they don’t just endorse the Challenge: they actively support participants and push the most promising ideas on the road towards delivery.
“I’m proud to be a champion for the Civil Service AI & Data Challenge, which supports our 2025 One Big Thing theme: AI for All. The competition is a fantastic way to demonstrate and celebrate all the work we collectively do across government to become a better, more efficient Civil Service. I encourage you to take part and come forward with your ideas, finding innovative ways to provide faster and more streamlined services for citizens across the country.”
Cat Little
Chief Operating Officer, Civil Service and Permanent Secretary, Cabinet Office
Director – Chief Data and AI Officer, Digital Transformation and Digital Business Partnering, Deputy CIO, Ministry of Defence
Head of Data Strategy and Transformation, Home Office
Head of Data Science Hub and Head of Data Science Practice, Department for Work and Pensions
Director of Functional Integration, Ministry of Defence
Deputy Director and Head of Profession/Chief Statistician for Statistics , Ministry of Justice
Group Chief Digital and Information Officer, Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, United Kingdom
Chief Data Officer and Director, Data Growth and Operations, Office for National Statistics, United Kingdom
Deputy Director, Enterprise Data, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
Heather Wheeler MP was appointed as a Parliamentary Secretary in the Cabinet Office, in addition to her current role as an Assistant Government Whip, on 8 February 2022.
Matthew is the CEO for NHSX, a joint unit between the Department for Health and Social Care and NHS England, set up to ensure that staff and patients have the technology they need.
Chief Digital and Information Officer, HMRC
Chief Executive NHS Digital
Chief Executive, Central Digital and Data Office
Chief Analyst, 10 Downing Street
Head of Public Sector, NTT DATA UK
Chief Data Officer, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Deputy National Statistician and Director General for Data Capability, ONS
Head of the Policy Profession & Permanent Secretary, Defra
Head of the Operational Delivery Profession & Permanent Secretary, Department for Work and Pensions
Minister, Cabinet Office