Not using AI in public services would mean ‘choosing decline’, UK minister warns
UK Treasury chief: 'Not using AI means choosing decline.' Government adoption just became a competitive necessity.
Why it matters
A senior UK policymaker is framing AI adoption in public services as a matter of national competitiveness, signaling government-wide momentum toward enterprise AI deployment and raising the stakes for how governments assess AI ROI.
The key facts
9 to knowLucy Rigby (Chief Secretary to the Treasury) appointed to drive AI rollout across Whitehall
UK government positioning AI non-adoption as strategic risk to national performance
Initiative targets cross-government technology deployment
Published May 2026 — indicates forward momentum in public sector AI strategy
Lucy Rigby (Chief Secretary to the Treasury) advocates for AI rollout across Whitehall
Public services framed as facing 'decline' if AI not adopted
Signals UK government policy direction on AI integration in public sector
Timeline context: May 2026 (post-major AI policy debates)
Affects procurement, vendor strategy, and public sector AI governance
Go to the source
Financial Times Technologyft.com
Publisher excerpt: Newly appointed chief secretary to the Treasury Lucy Rigby wants to roll out technology across Whitehall