Domain
AI
Public Sector
Building an AI Strategy for a public sector assurance and oversight organisation
Creating a shared approach to adopting AI that maximises value across the organisation
The challenge they faced
A UK public sector organisation had committed to exploring the use of artificial intelligence as part of its 2025–2030 strategy, with the aim of improving productivity, insight and the quality of its work across government.
However, while there was strong interest in AI and a growing number of ideas across the organisation, there was no single, agreed view on how it should be adopted in practice. Different teams were approaching AI from their own perspectives, with varying levels of understanding and confidence. Key elements, such as a clear AI vision, priority use cases, and a proportionate approach to governance, had not yet been defined in a consistent or connected way.
As a result, there was no clear basis for prioritising activity, shaping a coordinated roadmap, or guiding investment decisions. It was also difficult to ensure that emerging use of AI would align with the organisation’s standards for quality, trust and value for money, or support its role as a credible and authoritative voice to Parliament and government.
How we helped
We worked collaboratively with the organisation to bring structure and clarity to how artificial intelligence could be explored and adopted across the organisation.
We started by building a shared understanding of AI in practice, using an AI Academy session to ground stakeholders with a common baseline for discussion, identify practical use cases for AI in the organisation, and prioritise them based on value and effort / complexity.
We then facilitated workshops that brought together perspectives from across the organisation. These sessions focused on defining the AI vision, ambition and goals, alongside identifying key constraints, enablers and an initial view of how AI could be introduced over time.
The difference it made
The work established a clearer foundation for how the organisation could progress its approach to artificial intelligence at an organisational level, bringing stakeholders into alignment around a common vision and a set of defined goals. This created a stronger basis for discussion and decision-making at Executive level, with a more consistent understanding of what AI should deliver for the organisation.
It also clarified the key areas that would need to be addressed to move from ambition into delivery, including building the skills and confidence needed to work effectively alongside AI, establishing clear governance and oversight, developing the data and technology capabilities required to scale, and maintaining an active role in shaping the wider regulatory and policy landscape.