The AI workforce reality
The IMF (Cazzaniga et al. 2024) estimates roughly 60% of jobs in advanced economies are exposed to AI in some form. In public bodies that exposure concentrates in administrative processing, casework and customer-contact functions — large, headcount-heavy role families with high substitution scores.
The defining feature of public-sector transition is the Public Sector Equality Duty (Equality Act s.149): any workforce restructuring requires an Equality Impact Assessment and demonstrable due regard for eliminating discrimination and advancing equality of opportunity. Forta scores roles, not individuals — which keeps the diagnostic structurally clear of ICO automated-decision-making concerns — but the deployer remains responsible for an evidenced, non-discriminatory implementation.
Public funding is a tailwind rather than a blocker here. Skills England and devolved workforce-transition funds are opening across 2026–27, and first-mover delivery partners are positioned to convert that capacity into evidenced redeployment.
Where the exposure sits
| Role family | Type | Horizon | Exposure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clerical & Administrative | high substitution | 1-3 years | 84 |
| Customer Operations | high substitution | 1-3 years | 78 |
| HR Operations | medium substitution | 2-5 years | 58 |
| Middle Management | augmentation | 3-7 years | 42 |
Where the workforce can go
The duties that bear on this sector
Public Sector Equality Duty (Equality Act s.149)
Public sector clients — central government, devolved government, local authorities, arms-length bodies, NHS trusts.
Equality Act 2010
All redeployment, restructuring, and selection decisions — universal.
UK GDPR & Data Protection Act 2018 (as updated by DUAA 2025)
All workforce data processing — universal. Data Use and Access Act 2025 phased in during 2026.
ICO Guidance on Automated Decision-Making and Profiling
Any AI-assisted scoring or recommendation in workforce decisions with significant effect on individuals.
EU AI Act — Article 27 Fundamental Rights Impact Assessment
Where the customer's AI deployment affects fundamental rights — typical for Annex III employment systems. Public sector deployers and certain private deployers required.
Full requirements for each duty are set out on the regulatory landscape map. Forta scores roles, not individuals — the audit itself does not trigger automated-decision provisions.