Civil Service AI & Data Challenge 2025-26
Images from the hackathons, Semi-Finals and Grand Finale
In March 2026, eight teams of civil servants joined NTT DATA consultants, public sector SMEs and AI specialists to spend a morning using AI-powered tools to build digital solutions to public policy challenges – then presented their ideas to a judging panel of top digital leaders. Four were then selected to go forwards to the Final in May 2026, where the winner was chosen – winning £50,000 worth of support to carry their idea forwards into delivery.
All pictures Copyright 2026 NTT DATA, Inc, UK&I. You may use them for editorial purposes in publications and social media posts on the Civil Service AI & Data Challenge, UK civil service innovation and NTT DATA UK&I, crediting all images to NTT DATA, Inc/Mark Weeks Photography.
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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