The UK government is betting big on artificial intelligence. At the center of this move is the Minute AI tool—a smart solution designed to modernize public sector workflows. Built by the government’s innovation unit i.AI, Minute is now being tested across 25 local councils. And it’s not just a test run—it’s a signal that a massive $57 billion market is opening up for startups and investors in GovTech.
This AI-powered tool has already made history. It was the first of its kind used in a meeting led by the UK Prime Minister. Minute automatically transcribes speech, summarizes meetings, and organizes notes—all while keeping sensitive data secure. With browser-based processing, nothing leaves the local environment. That means it meets even the strictest public sector data rules.
Local authorities like West Berkshire and Stockton-on-Tees are already using Minute. They report fewer manual tasks and better record accuracy. Some have seen a 40% drop in time spent on note-taking. These early results show how quickly Minute can reduce admin work and boost productivity across government departments.
A Wider AI Push With the Humphrey Suite
The Minute AI tool is just one part of a broader effort. It belongs to the Humphrey suite—a group of AI tools aimed at cutting government costs by up to £45 billion each year. Other tools in the suite include Consult (for surveys), Parlex (for debates), Redbox (for policies), and Lex (for legal analysis). Together, they help streamline government work at scale.
This strategy isn’t happening in isolation. The UK is also launching a National Data Library to connect public datasets. Over five years, this project will fuel new AI tools in areas like healthcare, transport, and education. Meanwhile, a new supercomputing center is being built to support high-performance AI development. It will double computing capacity by 2026 and offer vital resources to AI startups.
With 91% of UK councils exploring AI tools, there’s clear demand. The GovTech Catalyst programme is already offering £20 million in support to early-stage startups working on public sector challenges. Startups accepted into the programme receive pilot funding and access to real government clients.
This is a golden moment for founders building in the AI space. The UK’s £5 billion annual public sector tech budget, combined with 320 potential local authority clients, makes for a large, underserved market. And the upcoming pilot report—due in July 2025—will give startups real data on where Minute performs best.
