The adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) systems can improve public sector efficiency and service quality, but many government institutions are held back by skills gaps on AI. This brief explores how public administrations can build internal capability for AI, which is important to maintain accountability, ensure compliance and closely align the use of AI with institutional objectives.

The brief draws on examples of workforce initiatives from various OECD countries, including AI training for different groups of staff, strategies for hiring digital and data professionals, and mechanisms for innovation and continuous learning.

Key insights

• AI adoption can improve public sector efficiency and service quality by supporting and accelerating administrative and support tasks.
• Building internal capability for AI is important in public administrations to ensure compliance, accountability, and effectively leverage AI tools to achieve organisational goals.
• Institutions need a proactive and robust governance of AI to prevent significant risks, also related to the use of generative AI tools by staff.
• AI adoption will change work processes and skills needed within public administration. Investing in training and upskilling can help people and institutions adapt to these changes.
• More and more institutions develop training on AI for their staff, targeting all employees to develop foundational AI skills, leaders to gain strategic knowledge on AI, and digital and data professionals to improve technical AI-related skills.