The programme, announced on Tuesday, aligns with Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s broader push to harness the economic potential of artificial intelligence while boosting productivity and efficiency within government operations. Like many global leaders, Starmer’s administration is positioning AI as a strategic driver of growth and public-sector reform.
According to the government, the newly assembled team will spend the next year developing open-source AI tools that public authorities can deploy independently. These tools are expected to support better maintenance of roads and transport networks, enhance public safety management, and assist in decision-making related to national security.
The expert group brings together a diverse mix of specialists, including a data scientist from the Alan Turing Institute and university-based researchers. Their collective expertise spans computer vision, applied machine learning for public-sector use, robotics-driven imaging, and the development of trustworthy and safety-critical AI systems.
A central focus of the programme is reducing reliance on proprietary, closed-source technology. By prioritising open-source solutions, the government aims to give public bodies greater control over how AI systems are deployed, maintained, and adapted to specific operational needs.
Funding for the initiative is being provided by Meta, which announced its support for the project in July last year. At the time, the technology company said the team would make use of open-source models such as Meta’s Llama system—a large language model capable of processing text, images, video, and audio.
Meta also noted that any tools developed through the programme would be owned by the UK government. This approach is intended to ensure that sensitive data remains in-house, while allowing departments to customise and evolve the technology without external constraints.
The move reflects growing interest among governments in building sovereign AI capabilities, balancing innovation with security, transparency, and long-term public value.