The public sector is under increasing pressure to modernise services while maintaining transparency and strict data protection. From social care and local councils to national agencies, efficiency is no longer a luxury - it’s an expectation. According to McKinsey, automation in public services could save governments globally up to $1 trillion annually (McKinsey - insights).

In the UK, the adoption of AI in the public sector is accelerating. A 2024 report by Public First estimates that generative AI could free up to one-third of civil servants’ time spent on repetitive tasks - equivalent to a potential £38 billion in economic value by 2030 (Public First).

Real use cases in the UK Public Sector:

• Local Government: Hertfordshire County Council, in partnership with Robotiz3d and the University of Liverpool, is using AI to improve road maintenance and asset management (LGA).
• Social Services: Councils like Swindon, Barnet, and Kingston are piloting "Magic Notes" - an AI assistant that records conversations, drafts letters to GPs, and recommends unseen next steps (The Guardian).
• Education: Civil servants and teachers are now using AI to help create lesson plans and streamline daily admin tasks.

Despite the momentum, challenges remain. A March 2024 report by the UK’s National Audit Office (NAO) highlights barriers such as outdated IT systems and inconsistent data quality, which can hamper AI adoption at scale (NAO Report).

Ulla’s role in the Public Sector

Ulla provides a secure, AI-powered transcription and summarisation solution that fits naturally into the public sector’s evolving digital infrastructure. Her functions help:

• Automate documentation of meetings, hearings, and community consultations.
• Reduce manual note-taking and administrative burden.
• Store records centrally, with access controls and data integrity.

Crucially, Ulla can be deployed locally on government servers - offering a compliant, secure alternative to cloud-based tools. This allows organisations to maintain full control over data, supporting GDPR, HIPAA, and other strict data protection requirements.

From council strategy sessions to sensitive social care reviews, Ulla ensures clarity, accuracy, and security - helping the public sector stay accountable, efficient, and citizen-focused.