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One Big Thing 2026 – AI in Action

One Big Thing is an annual initiative that drives upskilling and cultural change through collective action on a single, shared priority across the Civil Service.

Following the success of One Big Thing 2025 ‘AI for All’, which built foundational knowledge for over 221,000 civil servants, One Big Thing 2026 is focused on ‘AI in Action’.

This year’s programme moves from awareness to practical application. We are empowering teams to embed AI into their day-to-day workflows, to deliver better, faster and more effective public services.

Check your departmental intranet first to get started. You can access OBT26 resources on Civil Service Learning.

Why ‘AI in Action’?

The potential for AI to transform public services is enormous. It is about making the Civil Service more productive, efficient and fit for the future.

‘AI in Action’ is about amplifying our collective human expertise not about replacing roles. By bringing a ‘human in the loop’ to every interaction, we can:

Boost productivity

Automate or augment routine tasks to free up time for judgement, creativity, and empathy.

Improve service delivery

Deliver better outcomes for the public more quickly.

Build confidence

Experiment responsibly within approved frameworks, addressing concerns and barriers through shared, team-based learning.

What to expect in 2026

Running from October 2026 to February 2027, ‘AI in Action’ is designed to be a collaborative experience. Unlike previous years, the core offer for most departments is a team-facilitated workshop, rather than individual e-learning.

How civil servants will take part:

  1. Pre-learning survey: Complete a short pre-learning survey.

  2. Team workshop: Join a collaborative session to:
    • explore and test where AI can create value in your team’s work
    • critique AI generated outputs to ensure the final results are safe, accurate, and responsible
    • redesign a process and establish the practical next steps to integrate AI into your team’s workflows

    3. Depending on the local context, your learning pathway may involve a centrally-designed workshop (3 hours or 90 mins) or a bespoke departmental user-journey, which may involve a range of different activities

  3. Use Case Directory: Access a new library of real-life examples showing how AI is being applied across different roles and professions in government.

  4. Post-learning survey: Complete a short post-learning survey to record completion and share your feedback to help us measure our progress and shape future skills development.

I’m a civil servant – how can I get involved?

Visit your departmental intranet for guidance on which learning pathway you will follow and instructions for getting started. In the meantime, you can kickstart your learning by downloading the learner workbook and Use Case Directory.

If you haven’t yet completed last year’s foundational training, you can still access ‘AI for All’ on Civil Service Learning.