Department for Culture, Media and Sport: Artificial Intelligence
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what artificial intelligence services or tools are used by their department; and whether the department has a contract with each provider of those services.
Answered by Ian Murray
The Government is committed to adopting artificial intelligence in a way that is transparent, responsible and accountable to the public.
Information about algorithmic and AI tools used by government departments to support decisions that affect members of the public, or that have a significant influence on a decision-making process with public effect, is published through the Algorithmic Transparency Recording Standard (ATRS). The ATRS has been mandatory for central government departments since 2024, and records are published on GOV.UK at www.gov.uk/algorithmic-transparency-records. In addition, departments may use other internal tools which do not fall within the scope of the Standard.
In line with public procurement transparency requirements, departments publish contractual information for AI services and tools on Contracts Finder and, where above the relevant threshold, on the Find a Tender Service.
AI services and tools are accessed across government through a range of commercial routes. Departments may contract directly with AI providers, access AI products via intermediated routes such as reseller arrangements where the contractual relationship sits with a partner rather than the underlying provider, or use AI capabilities delivered as features within existing enterprise software and platform contracts (for example productivity, HR or service management tools).
AI represents a significant opportunity for DCMS, alongside other government departments, to enhance how we work and to improve the quality, efficiency and impact of policy design and delivery.
DCMS currently holds contracts with Google for the use of Google Gemini and Phoenix Software for Microsoft 365 Copilot. We also use a number of approved and assured central government tools such as Consult, Assist and Parlex.
The use of AI tools and technologies in DCMS is driven by an approach, where all AI outputs are comprehensively reviewed and evaluated before any use in evidence synthesis, drafting or briefing, with explicit human ownership, oversight and accountability.
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