DeepSeek or DeepShock? What the public sector needs to know
DeepSeek, a China-based AI developer, is shaking up the market with the unveiling of affordable, open source large language models (LLMs) that run on minimal processing power.
Author: Mark Duncan
In the years since the 2013 publication of the UK government’s ground-breaking strategy to become digital by default, many public sector departments have successfully invested in new GOV.UK digital services.
Scrumconnect has been privileged to co-design and build many digital services with departments such as the Ministry of Justice, Department for Work and Pensions, and Department for Education, to name a few.
We’ve seen first-hand the huge benefits for departments that embrace digital transformation, including significant time and budget savings, gains in productivity, and improved service levels. One example is DWP’s Winter Fuel Payments digital service, which went live in 2020. This innovation enabled the department to decommission legacy technology and automate processing for 18 million data records, meaning payments for 12 million citizens were made earlier and in less time. Our approach to this followed the Cabinet Office 7-point guidance for Ethics, Transparency, and Accountability Framework for Automated Decision-Making.
Further to these savings, digital services such as Get Your State Pension have embraced user-centred design, resulting in frictionless, easy-to-use, and accessible citizen-government interactions online.
Key to public sector digital transformation is the ability to automate data and decisions, coupled with straight-through processing principles. Online interactions with the public reduce manual processing by government staff, removing waiting times, reducing workload, and providing real-time outcomes for users. It means that staff can focus on more complex cases, driving efficiency.
Looking ahead, with the government now releasing its AI Opportunities Action Plan, artificial intelligence is set to play an increasing role in public sector innovation.
AI brings the potential for more intelligent and nuanced automation and decision-making capabilities in digital services.
Some use cases are particularly compelling. In 2023, the UK government reported overpayments of £8.3bn in benefits and £1.4bn in underpayments to some of the UK’s most vulnerable citizens. By applying AI to benefit eligibility and entitlement processes, alongside the new National Data Library that will serve as an integrated and accessible data infrastructure that runs across the public sector, fraud and error can be massively curtailed. Data analytics has already driven a £1.3bn reduction in fraud since 2022, but there’s still more room for improvement.
But while AI is undoubtedly set to become a gamechanger in the delivery of public services, it continues to be a rapidly evolving technology - and in some respects, novel. This means that innovation is often experimental, meaning some high profile projects could fail while others thrive, providing valuable lessons for future progress.
With AI comes responsibility and public apprehension. The rapid evolution of large language models like ChatGPT and generative AI tools such as DALL-E, in addition to sinister use cases like deepfake, highlights the pace of change and the uncertainties surrounding ethical use.
Recently, the Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation (CDEI) published its latest wave of the Public Attitudes to Data and AI: Tracker Survey.
The research, undertaken by Savanta, reveals the continued trend of a growing awareness of AI among the British public - 97% of respondents were aware of the technology. But scepticism persists. While 71% of people said that they felt they could confidently explain what AI is, nearly one third expressed concern about its societal impact. Issues such as potential misuse, loss of human oversight, and machines replacing human jobs remain top concerns, underlining the need for transparent and ethical AI adoption in the public sector.
The government has responded to these concerns by taking proactive steps to guide AI’s development and adoption responsibly. The AI Policy Directorate, part of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), is mandated to strengthen the UK’s position as a leader in the field while addressing public unease. Practical frameworks, such as the Cabinet Digital & Data Office’s guidance on Generative AI in Government, provide ethical guardrails to ensure innovation aligns with public expectations. And regarding the role that AI plays in national defence, the Ministry of Defence has developed a strategy that underscores how AI will enhance strategic advantage and protect the UK’s security, while reaffirming that critical decisions involving the use of force and warfare will continue to remain under human judgment for the foreseeable future.
Practically, there have been some movements towards greater adoption of AI-enabled technologies in the public sector. The hope is that these innovations will drive value but will also demonstrate the responsible use of AI in digital public services. Some examples include:
On top of this, a new AI accelerator upskilling programme is in place to help civil servants in digital delivery and operations roles to become machine learning engineers. This will further increase the levels of AI capability across government departments.
Winning over society’s trust is a long-term game, but by continuing to focus on responsible innovation and transparency, initiatives like these will continue to address public concerns and benefit the implementation of the AI Opportunities Action Plan.
Through thoughtful and ethical applications, AI will become increasingly accepted, transforming services and creating a more connected, efficient, and fair experience for everyone.
The true power of AI lies in taking a whole-government approach. Collaboration between departments, backed up by the National Data Library’s integrated and accessible data infrastructure, will deliver truly joined-up, citizen-centred digital services. This will improve departmental outcomes but also create fairer, more accessible citizen experiences.
As a proven transformation partner to the public sector, Scrumconnect is well placed to support the implementation of the AI Opportunities Action Plan. Over the years, we’ve worked across major government departments to design and deliver digital services that are accessible, efficient, and scalable. Our commitment to user-centred design and adherence to frameworks like the Cabinet Office’s 7-point guidance ensures that innovation remains responsible and aligned with public expectations. From co-creating the DWP’s Winter Fuel Payments service to tackling complex datasets with automation, we’ve seen first-hand how well-designed AI innovations can positively transform user experiences and back office operations.
The delivery of the Action Plan requires close cross-government/private-sector collaboration. By partnering with organisations like ours, and continuing to foster a culture of responsible innovation, the government is not just addressing today’s challenges but building a foundation for future-ready public services. It means transforming how the citizens are served - from cradle to grave - creating a more connected, efficient, and equitable society for generations to come.
DeepSeek, a China-based AI developer, is shaking up the market with the unveiling of affordable, open source large language models (LLMs) that run on minimal processing power.
AI is enhancing UK public services through automation and data-driven decisions. Scrumconnect supports this transformation with ethical, user-focused digital solutions. Collaboration between government and industry will drive smarter, more efficient services.
The government has an ambitious and exciting strategy to position the UK as a global leader in artificial intelligence and to use this strategy to transform the ways that it delivers public services. But AI is only as effective as the data that fuels it.
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