Government Digital Service – SCS2 Chief AI Officer- up-to £175k – Hybrid – London, Bristol or Manchester
The Government Digital Service (GDS), part of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), is seeking a dynamic and visionary Chief AI Officer to lead our ambitious agenda on artificial intelligence across the UK public sector.
GDS sits at the heart of digital and data transformation in government. AI now plays a central role in reshaping how we design, deliver, and scale public services to be more efficient, responsive, and impactful. This will be a dynamic and changing brief, given the rapidly evolving nature of AI in government, and the enormous appetite for change from Ministers including the DSIT Secretary of State and the Prime Minister. This is an exciting and innovative team - we are looking for change makers who want to challenge how government operates, leading from within, and driving enormous impact through harnessing the power of AI for the public good.
You will be at the forefront of AI adoption in the public sector, balancing cutting-edge innovation with the need for transparency, fairness, and public trust. You will influence across the public sector system, shape policy, and ensure that AI-driven initiatives are deployed responsibly and ethically. You will build a leadership community across government - drawing on their expertise and needs as a collective, including developing a sourcing framework for this group.
As the Chief AI Officer, you will be responsible for:
1. Build and Scale AI in Public Services
* Expand the AI Incubator to drive rapid delivery of high-impact AI prototypes.
* Establish a central AI Adoption Unit with strong technical capabilities.
* Champion investment in core AI infrastructure, tooling, and models.
2. Develop Capability Across Government
* Grow AI and data communities of practice, offering technical guidance and reusable solutions.
* Design an innovative sourcing framework for AI, enabling partnerships with startups, academia, and industry leaders.
3. Lead with Integrity and Trust
* Embed ethical principles, responsibility, and transparency in AI practices.
* Develop guidance and governance frameworks, building on the work of the Responsible Tech Adoption Unit.
What we need from you:
* A proven leader of large-scale digital or technology transformations.
* An inclusive and credible voice with both technical experts and senior stakeholders.
* A deep understanding of AI technologies (e.g. ML, NLP, computer vision) and their real-world applications.
* Experience in governance and ethical deployment of AI, with a commitment to fairness, transparency, and public trust.
* A strong public service mindset and excitement about the potential of AI to create social value.
This role will define how AI is used across government— It will give us the reach and potential to improve lives, drive economic growth and increase productivity. You will help set the gold standard for AI in the public sector, working with leading experts and institutions to drive meaningful change.
If you are passionate about leveraging AI for societal good and excited about the opportunity to drive change at a national scale -this is the role for you.
If you are interested in this vacancy, please follow the “EasyApply” process which will register your interest and add you to the distribution list for our dedicated microsite. For any further information, please reach out to Daniel White or Mercedes Sargant on 020 8253 1806, or via email at CAIO@global-resourcing.com
Closing date: Monday 7th July 23:59pm