“The results chime with our experience”
Helen Gearing, CEO, Shaping Cloud
We welcome the findings – it’s an important contribution to understanding how AI tools can support the public sector when applied responsibly and at scale.
The results chime with our experience as a Microsoft specialist partner: users respond positively to tools like Copilot, particularly in reducing low-value tasks and surfacing insights more quickly.
However, it’s important to distinguish Copilot from the wider AI capabilities in Microsoft’s stack. Tools like Power Platform’s AI Builder or Azure OpenAI services can deliver powerful automation and integration benefits that go far beyond individual user productivity.
Crucially, none of these tools deliver value without strong data foundations, security, and governance. That’s where public bodies often need the most help – and where partners like us play a critical role.
We also see funding and procurement models as a persistent challenge. Many local and regional bodies struggle to afford ongoing investment in modern, licence-based tooling, despite the potential savings and efficiency gains.
We hope this study paves the way for more flexible funding and policy support to help public bodies adopt AI tools that suit their needs – whether that’s Copilot or broader automation platforms.
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