The UK government is launching a 12-month open-source AI fellowship in partnership with the Alan Turing Institute, supported by a $1 million grant from Meta, aimed at developing innovative AI tools for public services.

Set to begin in January 2026, the fellowship will attract top AI engineers to work on real-world challenges within government departments, focusing on creating impactful, open-source AI solutions.

UK Technology Secretary Peter Kyle emphasized that this initiative is a practical approach to applying AI for public benefit, aiming to enhance government operations and build sovereign capabilities in areas like national security.

Meta's leadership highlights the transformative potential of open-source AI tools in improving government productivity and decision-making, with support from the CEO of the Alan Turing Institute.

The fellowship aligns with similar efforts in the US, such as the US Digital Corps, to embed technology experts in federal agencies for innovation and modernization.

Participants will work on critical issues including secure AI for sensitive document processing, language translation for national security, and tools to support emergency responders.

Potential projects include AI-powered language translation, construction planning tools to expedite housing approvals, and offline AI solutions for emergency services.

Building on existing initiatives like 'Caddy', an AI assistant that has significantly improved response times and accuracy for government staff, the fellowship aims to expand AI's role in public service efficiency.

The UK government is also enhancing its AI Knowledge Hub with new features like a Prompt Library to help departments deploy AI more effectively.

This initiative is part of a broader government strategy to unlock up to £45 billion in productivity gains across the public sector by leveraging AI technologies.

The fellowship aims to develop tools that support the government's Plan for Change, focusing on streamlining processes like planning approvals and national security tasks.

Selected fellows will explore high-security AI applications, including secure document processing and AI solutions to support critical infrastructure and emergency response.