The UK government has launched a new AI fellowship, backed by $1 million from Meta, the company behind Facebook. The money will go to the Alan Turing Institute, which will run the program.
This “Open-Source AI Fellowship” will last for 12 months. It’s open to skilled AI engineers who want to help the government use AI to improve public services, increase productivity, and strengthen national security.
A Year to Make a Real Impact with AI
The Fellows will work inside government departments, using open-source AI models like Meta’s Llama 3.5 to develop AI tools that help solve real problems. This could include speeding up building approvals, translating sensitive documents securely, or cutting down paperwork for government workers.
The goal is to help deliver the UK’s “Plan for Change” — making government faster, smarter, and more efficient.
AI Is Already Working in Government
One AI tool already in use is “Caddy,” built with Citizens Advice. It helps call centre workers find the right answers quickly, especially for questions about debt, legal help, or consumer rights. It’s being tested in six call centres, and the results are strong:
- Response times were cut in half
- 80% of AI answers needed no changes
- Staff felt twice as confident using it
Now, a Cabinet Office team is also using Caddy to make faster decisions about grants.
What Fellows Might Work On
AI fellows could work on tools for different public needs, such as:
- Secure AI assistants to handle sensitive documents
- Planning tools trained on UK laws to speed up decisions
- Offline AI systems that help NHS staff or emergency teams during power cuts
They may also help improve “Humphrey,” a set of AI tools that helps civil servants write notes, summarize documents, and respond to ministers more quickly.
All tools built during the fellowship will be open-source. That means they’ll be shared publicly so others can use and improve them too. This approach could save money and help other teams move faster.
Also Read: How the UK Plans to Make 7.5 Million People AI Smart by 2030
Leaders Say This Is Just the Beginning
Technology Secretary Peter Kyle said:
“This is AI at its best – practical, open, and designed to help people. We’ve seen success already with Caddy. Now we want to bring that impact across more of the government, especially in areas like security and infrastructure.”
Meta’s Joel Kaplan added:
“Open-source AI is helping with major breakthroughs in science and health. It can also change how governments serve people. This fellowship brings great minds and useful tech together – for the public good.”
Dr Jean Innes, CEO of the Alan Turing Institute, said:
“These fellowships are a smart way to match top AI talent with the real challenges facing public services today.”
More Support for Government AI Teams
The government is also updating its AI Knowledge Hub – a website that shares tools, guides, and examples for using AI properly. The new version will include a Prompt Library to help teams write better prompts and save time on everyday tasks.
The goal is to help departments learn from each other and go from small tests to big results faster.
How to Apply
People can register their interest now. Applications open next week. The program starts in January 2026 and runs for 12 months. All the AI tools created will be shared openly with the public.
This fellowship offers a rare chance to work on meaningful projects, solve tough problems, and help shape the future of government AI, all while making a difference to everyday lives.
You can read more here: Gov.uk/
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