Introducing the AI Knowledge Hub: Sharing Lessons about Public Sector AI

A few weeks ago, during a user research call, someone said something that stayed with me: 

"I know AI has potential, but I do not know what is already being done in other places, what has worked, or even where to start." 

They were not alone. 

 We heard similar sentiments echoed across government departments, local authorities, and devolved nations. There is growing curiosity and momentum around artificial intelligence, but also uncertainty, duplicated effort, and a sense that valuable knowledge is being created and lost in equal measure. 

As teams across the public sector explore how to use AI responsibly and effectively, they are generating something incredibly valuable: knowledge assets. These include insights from pilots, reusable templates and tools, and stories of success and caution. These learnings, born from real-world work, should not be locked away in silos. 

That is why we created the AI Knowledge Hub; a space to surface, share, and build on what we already know. 

Shaped by Users 

From the outset, we chose to listen first. 

Instead of diving straight into design and development, we spent time understanding our users. We focused on their needs, their challenges, and their aspirations. User research was not treated as a one-off phase. We spoke with public sector teams throughout the process, right up until the day before launch. Every design decision, every feature, and every piece of content was shaped by what we heard. 

And what we heard was consistent across the board: 

“We do not know what others are doing.” 

“We cannot find what has worked elsewhere that we could adapt.” 

“The guidance is fragmented; it is hard to know where to begin.”  

The AI Knowledge Hub is our response to these voices. It is designed to help public sector teams navigate the AI landscape more easily, learn from each other, and avoid duplicating effort. Ultimately, it aims to support smarter, more confident AI adoption across government. 

What the AI Knowledge Hub Is 

The AI Knowledge Hub was created in response to a commitment in the AI Opportunities Action Plan (recommendation 45). It was built in just seven weeks, from concept to launch, using a product-focused, user-led approach. 

It is not intended to be an exhaustive manual. Instead, it offers a starting point. Think of it as a reference to help you take your next step with confidence. 

The Hub is a living repository with two core components: 

1. Use Case Library: A curated collection of real-world AI applications from across the public sector that have delivered measurable outcomes.   
2. Guidance Section: A simplified, structured overview of trusted, UK government-published guidance to help orient you quickly.   

As we build our collection of knowledge assets and receive feedback from users, we may expand the components we offer in the future. 

Built for Today, Designed to Grow 

The first version of the AI Knowledge Hub is tailored for senior decision-makers who are exploring how to introduce AI safely and strategically. However, this is only the beginning. 

We are taking an iterative approach to development. As we continue learning from users, we will expand the Hub to include new types of content and address the needs of a broader range of public sector roles.  

Just last week, before we launched the Hub, one participant shared this during a user research session with the prototype: 

“This is exactly what I need. I have been discussing with my team how we might use AI to make our processes more efficient. This tool is going to be so useful in helping move that conversation forward.” 

That is the kind of impact we hope to support, helping teams move from curiosity to confidence, and from intention to action.  

Why It Matters 

AI can be a powerful enabler for public good. However, we can only realise that potential if we work together openly, responsibly and collaboratively. That means building not just the technology, but the infrastructure for learning and sharing. 

The AI Knowledge Hub is one step in that direction. It is about connecting people, ideas, and experience so we can go further, faster, together. 

Let us build it as a community. 

Get Involved 

In keeping with our co-creation roots, we are actively inviting contributions from across the public sector: 

• Do you have a case study of an AI application that has delivered real impact?  
• Have you developed prompts for large language models (LLMs) that produce useful results?  
• Do you have ideas for features or improvements that would make the Hub more valuable to your team?   

We would love to hear from you. Please get in touch with us at: ai-knowledge-hub@dsit.gov.uk