Last week, the UK Government Digital Service (GDS) hosted a hackathon in London, gathering over 150 engineers from the public sector. This event was part of the AI Engineering Lab initiative aimed at promoting the responsible integration of AI coding tools within government software teams.
Organized by GDS’s Engineering Excellence team under the Chief Technology Officer’s office, the event allowed participants to engage in a structured day focused on relevant projects. They built working prototypes with AI support and collaborated to share insights across different teams. Judges evaluated the projects by discussing the creations, the usage of AI tools, and the future plans of each team.
The Data and Insights Team from the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA) emerged victorious with their innovative CUB project management platform.
Overview of the AI Engineering Lab
The AI Engineering Lab is a GDS initiative dedicated to fostering the sustained adoption of AI tools throughout the entire software development lifecycle within public sector teams. It focuses on more than just technical implementation; it also emphasizes training, the management of AI enablement, and ongoing assessments of how AI tools can improve digital service delivery.
This initiative builds on insights gained from GDS’s AI Coding Assistant (AICA) pilot launched in 2025, which revealed significant opportunities to enhance efficiency and service delivery in government digital teams.
Beginning in early 2026, the lab will roll out licenses for a variety of leading AI tools, such as GitHub Copilot, Gemini, Amazon Q or Kiro, and Claude. These licenses will be available to all public sector departments and organizations for a period of up to six months, although availability will be limited. Technical setup, integration support, and training will accompany the access to these tools.
The initiative prioritizes user feedback, so participants will influence how and where AI tools are utilized within government. Engineers and digital professionals can apply for AI tool licenses, receive training and guidance, attend future hackathons and community gatherings, and share their experiences using these tools in their own organizations.
Importantly, no prior expertise is necessary to participate. Everyone interested in exploring the application of AI in software engineering is encouraged to get involved.
In conclusion, the recent hackathon exemplifies the UK government’s commitment to fostering innovation through AI technologies within the public sector. By providing resources and support, the AI Engineering Lab aims not only to improve efficiency but also to create a collaborative environment where engineers can learn and grow together.
