Artificial Intelligence (AI) guidance, best practice and standards
This is a collated list of approved AI guidance from departments, agencies, and specialist teams across government. Always refer to your own departmental guidance and consult your IT or Digital teams for support.
To get started, we suggest reading the:
We would then advise moving on to our A to Z list of approved government guidance for any guidance specific to your area of work.
Government Frameworks for Data and AI Ethics
Ensuring that analytical, data driven and AI enabled work is conducted responsibly is a shared priority across government. The cross-government Data and AI Ethics Framework (published in late 2025) was created to support responsible innovation across the public sector.
The updated framework reflects the latest thinking on ethical AI and data use. It is part of a wider effort to support responsible innovation across government. The framework:
- sets out the core principles and expectations that all departments should follow when designing, developing, and deploying analytical or data driven projects
- provides a consistent foundation for ethical practice, helping teams consider issues such as transparency, fairness, accountability, and the wider impacts of their work
Alongside this overarching government framework, individual departments may also develop their own ethics guidance to address specific operational contexts or sector specific risks. For example, the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) AI and Data Science Ethics Framework offers tailored principles and practical tools to support responsible innovation in justice settings. Departmental frameworks like this are designed to complement, not replace, the government-wide approach, providing additional depth where specialist considerations arise.
These resources help ensure that ethical thinking is embedded throughout the life cycle of analytical and digital projects. By using the central government framework alongside relevant departmental examples, teams can apply consistent standards while also drawing on sector-specific best practice. This combined approach supports confident, transparent, and socially responsible use of data and analytical methods across the public sector.
Further reading on ethics in AI
Develop your knowledge about ethics in AI by:
- reading an insightful blog by Data Ethics experts from Government Digital Service (GDS): Building trust in data and AI: the new Data and AI Ethics Framework and self-assessment tool
- exploring the GDS “Roadmap for modern digital government” to understand how it can support your team’s work from discovery to delivery
AI Playbook for the UK Government
The UK government is committed to using AI safely, effectively and securely within the Civil Service and public sector. The Artificial Intelligence Playbook for the UK Government (AI Playbook) offers guidance on using AI safely, effectively and securely, including 10 principles civil servants should uphold when using AI. It explains what AI is, including its capabilities, limitations and risks and how to select and deploy AI in government. New AI insights articles are published bi-monthly, and the cross government AI community meets monthly to share experiences and learn from speakers on AI ethics, security and emerging uses of AI technologies.
“The AI Playbook will support the public sector in better understanding what AI can and cannot do, and how to mitigate the risks it brings. It will help ensure that AI technologies are deployed in responsible and beneficial ways, safeguarding the security, well being, and trust of the public we serve”. GOV.UK, February 2025
This list includes guidance which has been officially approved for use within government and the public sector:
- “A blueprint for modern digital government” – this is a long-term vision for digital public services, a 6-point plan for reform, and the role of the new digital centre of government
- “AI Knowledge Hub Prompt library” – this library includes useful prompts, case studies, and guidance on AI adoption
- “AI Opportunities Action Plan” – this plan is designed to “ramp up AI adoption across the UK to boost economic growth, provide jobs for the future and improve people’s everyday lives”
- “A roadmap for modern digital government” – this roadmap outlines the plan to “build a modern digital government that works for you – making life easier, driving growth and delivering smarter, more efficient public services”
- “Building better government” – this includes information on Consult, AI Knowledge Hub, Lex, Parlex, Redbox, and Scout
- “Creating practical guidance for responsible AI adoption” – clear, central guidance and resources to help public sector teams develop, buy, and use AI responsibly
- “Guidance for Models: Trustworthiness, Quality and Value” – “guidance on how the principles in the Code of Practice can help in designing, developing and using models to improve their Trustworthiness, Quality and Value (TQV)”
- “Harnessing the Power of AI for the Public Good” – promotion of “responsible AI adoption and strengthening skills across government to create more inclusive, accessible, and productive public services that work for everyone”
- “Introduction to AI assurance” – this introduction highlights the importance of engaging with AI assurance amid “developments in the regulatory landscape, significant advances in AI capabilities, and increased public awareness of AI”
- “One Big Thing 2025” – One Big Thing is an annual initiative that seeks to upskill and create culture change through collective action on a single, shared priority, across the Civil Service
You should always refer to your own departmental guidance in the first instance and check with your Digital or IT team for advice if uncertain about anything.