Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, for what purposes the Met Office has used artificial intelligence in the last 12 months.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is at the heart of the Government’s plan to kickstart an era of economic growth, transform how we deliver public services, and boost living standards for working people across the country.

The Met Office is at the forefront of public sector deployment of AI and has an organisation-wide change programme that fosters a culture of AI innovation: AI4Everyone. It has been using AI in a wide range of applications, for example working with The Alan Turing Institute to co-develop a machine learning model for weather prediction known as FastNet. It has also started using AI in climate science applications through its AI4Climate Programme and is deploying AI across its internal operations to deliver efficiencies, improved internal processes and to stimulate innovative new services. It will begin publishing records through the Algorithmic Transparency Recording Standard shortly.

All Arms Length Bodies can draw on a range of resources, published on GOV.UK, to inform AI usage and have access to the Government Digital Service, part of the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology, for expert advice.