Adoption of AI technologies could help under-pressure frontline workers such as teachers, nurses and police officers in the UK by slashing the burden of time consuming administration, according to a new report.
The study, titled From Human to Hybrid, from tech investment firm Target Global, said that the “shift towards AI-driven decision-making is essential in ensuring that we create a more agile, responsive public sector that can keep pace with growing demands”.
Its findings were based on focus group interviews with frontline workers in education, healthcare, and policing. It found that all three groups were often bogged down with frustrating admin work and urged public sector leaders to “collaborate with startups to pilot AI solutions.”
In va foreword to the report, Shmuel Chafets, co-founder, Target Global, said: “ We believe that AI can be the key to a more sustainable and effective public sector.
“But to unlock its full potential, we need to ensure that we are investing in the right solutions, empowering the people who are closest to the challenges, and supporting the next generation of leaders who will use technology to transform public services for the better.”
Teachers in the focus group said they had only limited experience with AI tools and some said they had concerns that pupils would use AI to shortcut the learning process.
However, “they were also clear that the benefits to their profession and therefore in supporting their pupils to learn would still be very positive.”£
One said an AI tool “saved me about 50 hours already so far. It feels like witchcraft at the moment, but it saves me time which is great.”
Police said there was “huge scope for AI to reduce the time they spent on administrative tasks and help them spend more time on the frontline.”
Nurses had the least exposure to AI of the three groups but were were “quick to spot the way AI could transform their workplace and standard of care.”
One nurse said “If you are newly qualified as a nurse, it would ease anxiety and reduce human error to receive nudges or questions to think about (from an AI tool) - especially in district nursing. You’re out on your own from the get go. So, having something as a supportive tool might be helpful.”
The report concluded: “An environment where teachers can focus more on individualised learning, where nurses can more swiftly handle patient data, and where police officers can use data insights to make communities safer is one that benefits not only the workers but the entire society.”
Chafets said: “Without spending a large amount of money you can achieve a lot.”
