# UK Departments Rethink AI-Powered Public Services

At Think AI for Government 2026, UK public-sector and industry speakers urged departments to redesign services around users rather than simply automate existing processes, while strengthening AI safety, procurement expertise, and workforce readiness. No specific solicitation or award was announced, but the discussion points to how departments may assess future AI procurements: suppliers may face greater scrutiny of data sovereignty, testing evidence, ongoing system performance, and their ability to adapt as requirements evolve.

- Buyers and contractors should account for user-centered service redesign—not automation alone—when shaping AI solutions and proposals.
- Contractors can prepare to substantiate data-sovereignty protections, testing results, and ongoing performance as part of their offerings.
- The emphasis on procurement expertise and workforce readiness indicates that implementation and staff capability may be important considerations alongside the technology itself.

**Jurisdictions:** international
**Industries:** Information Technology
**Topics:** Artificial Intelligence
**Published:** October 28, 2026

### Government Entities
- HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC)
- Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG)
- Government Digital Service (GDS)
- UK Parliament

### Vendors
- ElevenLabs ()

### Sources
- [Government urged to rethink public services as AI adoption accelerates | THINK Digital Partners : THINK Digital Partners](https://www.thinkdigitalpartners.com/news/2026/10/28/government-urged-to-rethink-public-services-as-ai-adoption-accelerates) - THINK Digital Partners