Welcome to the Civil Service AI & Data Challenge!
We want your ideas for how government could make better use of AI and data – and we’ll put the best into action
Now in its fifth year, the Challenge gathers ideas from civil servants on how government could harness the potential of AI and data, then builds teams of civil service volunteers around the most promising – providing the time, skills, technical capabilities and high-level support required to put the best ideas into action.
A partnership between the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, the Cabinet Office, NTT DATA and Global Government Forum, the programme culminates in a Grand Finale at which a judging panel of top digital leaders awards the winning idea £50,000 of programmer time.
With the backing of senior leaders from across government, the winning team then sets about implementing their idea. Watch the video to hear from last year’s winner Marlon Woodley, Government Chief Data Officer Aimee Smith, and Chair of the Judging Panel David Filmer.
No matter your role, discipline, seniority or employer – and whether you have an idea of your own, or are simply interested in joining our interdisciplinary, cross-departmental teams – we want to hear from you.
“I saw last year how the Civil Service AI & Data Challenge enables civil servants in every role, department and grade to help us improve public services – identifying great ideas for how to apply AI and data technologies, and giving the most promising the support and visibility required to move towards delivery.
“It’s also a brilliant way for civil servants to improve their skills and experience in digital technologies, working on innovative projects in interdisciplinary, cross-departmental teams. Whether you’d like to submit an idea or join a team, I’d urge you to get involved in this year’s Challenge; I hope to see you at the Semi-Finals!”
Aimee Smith
Government Chief Data Officer and programme Champion
Learn more about AI4Peat via Natural England’s blog and in Global Government Forum’s feature.
The very first Challenge was won by Natural England’s ‘AI4Peat’ project: participation gave the project team “a pathway to an innovative space that you wouldn’t reach through the usual structures. It’s been a game-changer,” commented Mary Vayou, the agency’s Principal Adviser on Data Science. That idea is now up and running as a new public service, as explained via the links on the left.
Since its launch in 2021, the Challenge has created a host of digital transformation projects – with runners-up often making as much progress as winners. One team that made it to the 2024 Finals, for example, proposed streamlining data exchange between DWP and the NHS after a death in hospital – reducing overpayments and the burden on bereaved families. That idea has now received the money to fund implementation; it is currently in full Discovery phase.
Last year, the introduction of a network of programme ‘Sponsors’ – senior data leaders across government, listed on our Judges page – further strengthened the Challenge’s power as a route to delivery: at least seven 2025-26 ideas were picked up and taken forwards by departments and agencies.
Why join a team?
Participating in the Challenge is a career accelerator. You’ll:
- Build skills in digital project management, AI and data, research, stakeholder management, business planning and public speaking.
- Gain experience of working in an interdisciplinary, cross-departmental team.
- Present your ideas to senior leaders and raise your profile across government.
- Build new contacts inside and outside the Civil Service.
- Have the chance to see your project move into delivery.
- Receive formal recognition from senior leaders for your contribution.
Last year the programme was streamlined to focus effort around a handful of key events, reducing the demands on project teams while strengthening the support provided.
How it works
Civil servants submit their ideas and volunteer to participate. The most promising ideas are identified at workshops, then developed by interdisciplinary, cross-departmental teams in a research phase and at a hackathon, with the best progressing to the Grand Finale. The winning team secures £50,000 of technical support from NTT DATA to help turn their idea into reality, and also benefits from the public and private backing of our Champions, Judges and Sponsors – departmental leaders and digital chiefs from across government.
From the top
The Challenge has the visible backing of senior leaders across government. Champions give the programme profile and authority, encouraging civil servants to take part and helping successful projects find support at the highest levels. Judges test and refine the best ideas, selecting those with the greatest potential. And Sponsors — predominantly Chief Data Officers — gather ideas and help projects gain the backing and resources they need.
Together, they don’t just endorse the Challenge: they actively support participants and push the most promising ideas on the road towards delivery.
Pictured is the 2025 Judging Panel (from left): Champion Emran Mian, Permanent Secretary, DSIT; Judge Daljit Rehal, CDIO, HMRC; Judge Mark Thompson, CDIO, MoJ Group; Champion Aimee Smith, Government Chief Information Officer; Champion Kalbir Sohi, Government Chief AI Officer; Judge Sue Bateman, CDO, Defra; and Chair of the Judging Panel David Filmer, Managing Director, Public Sector at NTT DATA UK&I
“Being involved in the Civil Service AI & Data Challenge has been a real highlight for me over the last couple of years. I’ve seen some brilliant ideas submitted from almost every department; it really shows the breadth of work done across the Civil Service. I would encourage anyone who has a good idea – no matter how simple it may seem – to submit it. It’s a great experience; and you never know, your idea could be the next winner!”
Jacqui Leggetter
Head of Data Platforms, DWP, and programme Sponsor
Director – Chief Data and AI Officer, Digital Transformation and Digital Business Partnering, Deputy CIO, Ministry of Defence
Chief Data Architect, Department for Business and Trade
Head of Data Strategy and Transformation, Home Office
Head of Data Science Hub and Head of Data Science Practice, Department for Work and Pensions
Director of Functional Integration, Ministry of Defence
Deputy Director and Head of Profession/Chief Statistician for Statistics , Ministry of Justice
Group Chief Digital and Information Officer, Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, United Kingdom
Chief Data Officer and Director, Data Growth and Operations, Office for National Statistics, United Kingdom
Deputy Director, Enterprise Data, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
Chief Data Officer, 
Heather Wheeler MP was appointed as a Parliamentary Secretary in the Cabinet Office, in addition to her current role as an Assistant Government Whip, on 8 February 2022.
Matthew is the CEO for NHSX, a joint unit between the Department for Health and Social Care and NHS England, set up to ensure that staff and patients have the technology they need.
Chief Digital and Information Officer, HMRC
Chief Executive NHS Digital
Chief Executive, Central Digital and Data Office
Chief Analyst, 10 Downing Street
Head of Public Sector, NTT DATA UK
Chief Data Officer, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Deputy National Statistician and Director General for Data Capability, ONS
Head of the Policy Profession & Permanent Secretary, Defra
Head of the Operational Delivery Profession & Permanent Secretary, Department for Work and Pensions
Minister, Cabinet Office