Artificial intelligence is steadily gaining ground across the public sector. Adoption is increasing but it is happening with noticeable caution. Recent survey findings from public leaders show that while more organizations are experimenting with AI tools there is also growing hesitation about how and where the technology should be used. Communications remains the most common entry point as leaders balance innovation with responsibility.
Key findings on AI in the public sector
The survey highlights several important trends shaping AI adoption among public organizations.
More than half of public sector organizations report some level of AI use within their operations. Hesitation around AI has increased significantly compared to the previous year. Improved operational efficiency continues to be the most widely reported benefit. Communications related tasks are the most common use case for AI. Concerns have shifted away from ethics toward data protection and security.
These insights suggest that while interest in AI remains strong leaders are becoming more deliberate in their approach.
AI adoption is rising but caution is growing
In 2025 about 57 percent of public sector organizations have adopted AI either in limited functions or more broadly across departments. Another group continues to evaluate potential use cases before committing. This represents modest growth compared to the previous year.
At the same time resistance and uncertainty have increased. More than one third of organizations now report that they are undecided or do not plan to adopt AI in the near future. This shift reflects growing awareness of risks related to governance oversight and appropriate use.
Public sector adoption remains slower than in commercial environments which is not surprising given the higher accountability expectations. Leaders cite concerns about unauthorized use and maintaining control over how AI tools are accessed by staff. Increased media attention on AI failures has also reinforced the need for human oversight and careful implementation.
Communications leads AI use cases
Communications is the most common application of AI within public organizations with more than half of respondents using AI to support messaging and routine administrative tasks. Leaders report using AI to clarify written communications and streamline internal correspondence.
Other applications include automating repetitive tasks and deploying chat based tools for basic inquiries. A smaller number of organizations are exploring AI for data analysis reporting and program evaluation. These use cases are consistent with earlier findings though innovation driven experimentation has declined.
By automating time consuming tasks such as drafting summaries or preparing reports AI can free staff to focus on higher value public service activities.
Efficiency remains the main benefit but impact varies
Operational efficiency continues to be the primary benefit associated with AI adoption. Nearly half of organizations cite efficiency gains though this figure has slightly declined compared to the previous year.
Notably more than one third of respondents say they are not actively using AI despite initial adoption. This suggests that early enthusiasm has not always translated into meaningful impact. Improvements in service experience and innovation are reported far less frequently than before.
AI excels at accelerating routine work such as transcription data processing and document preparation. However the survey also reveals why these benefits are not universal across organizations.
Security and human factors slow progress
Data privacy and security remain the top concern for public sector AI adoption. Resistance to change has grown significantly along with concerns about ethical and regulatory compliance. These issues now outweigh challenges related to cost or technical integration.
A lack of skilled personnel also continues to limit adoption. Together these findings show that organizational culture and workforce readiness are becoming bigger barriers than technology itself.
Policy development is falling behind adoption
Despite increased AI use only about one quarter of organizations report having formal AI policies or guidelines in place. Nearly half have no policy at all and many leaders are unsure whether governance frameworks exist.
The absence of clear policy increases risk rather than reducing it. Public organizations that have not yet defined their AI approach should prioritize policy development and begin gathering best practices and guidance.
Some leaders have turned to shared resources from regional or national bodies while others collaborate with peer organizations to shape policy discussions.
Limited progress on ethical oversight
Attention to responsible AI practices has declined compared to the previous year. A large majority of organizations report that they have not meaningfully addressed AI ethics. Formal ethics training and oversight committees remain uncommon.
Ethical considerations such as sustainability transparency and intellectual property are central to responsible AI use. These issues are especially relevant for governing bodies that must balance innovation with public trust.
Training remains a major gap
Most boards and leadership teams report receiving no formal AI related training. This gap has widened since last year even as AI tools become more common.
Because AI capabilities continue to evolve training should be ongoing rather than a one time effort. Technology providers staff and community members are all finding new ways to use AI which makes continuous education essential.
Discussions about AI governance and use are becoming a regular part of public leadership responsibilities. Ensuring that leaders are informed and prepared is critical to using AI safely and effectively in the public sector.
