Meta is accelerating its efforts to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) into Britain’s public sector, with a particular focus on the NHS.
The focus includes reducing waiting times in accident and emergency (A&E) departments.
The tech giant’s latest initiative, a “hackathon” in Europe, brought together over 200 programmers to develop applications for Meta’s open-source Llama AI system within UK public services.
The initiative reflects Meta’s growing interest in using AI to support national infrastructure. This is to position itself alongside other Silicon Valley firms vying for influence in public sector innovation.
NHS-Focused Innovation: Meta’s Hackathon
The hackathon, its first in Europe, was geared toward practical applications of the Llama AI technology in UK public services. One of the standout projects involved the development of tools aimed at shortening NHS A&E waiting times.
Nick Clegg, Meta’s president of global affairs and former UK deputy prime minister, addressed participants, emphasizing the importance of collaboration between tech companies and governments.
Clegg described the hackathon as an opportunity to align Meta’s AI technology with public sector needs while fostering innovation that could eventually benefit Meta’s own products.
He said:
“It is indirectly in our interest to see this ecosystem of Llama-based innovation because it then makes it much easier for us to reincorporate innovations into our own products.”
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Silicon Valley’s Public Sector Push
Meta’s initiative comes as other US tech giants, like Microsoft and Palantir, make similar moves to establish partnerships with UK government departments.
Microsoft recently secured a five-year agreement to supply its AI Copilot technology to civil servants, while Palantir has been actively lobbying the Ministry of Justice and Chancellor Rachel Reeves.
UK AI minister Feryal Clark voiced support for adopting technologies like Meta’s Llama AI model to address key governmental priorities.
He said: “Government can adopt AI, such as Meta’s open-source model, to support our key missions.
He added any regulation introduced would be “proportionate” and designed to avoid stifling innovation.
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Balancing Innovation and Risk
Meta’s push into public sector AI has sparked both optimism and caution.
While the potential benefits of integrating AI into public services are significant—streamlined processes, improved efficiency, and cost savings—there are concerns about safety and the ability of public institutions to vet the technology adequately.
Nick Clegg downplayed fears about AI’s risks, calling them “overblown.”
“Who knows, maybe AI will start developing a mind of its own and will start wanting to turn us into paper clips by next Tuesday,” he joked.
“But right now, the technology is way more primitive than a lot of the fears suggest.”
Despite these reassurances, the role of big tech in public services has drawn scrutiny.
Peter Kyle, the UK’s secretary of state for science and technology, admitted that the government must approach partnerships with tech giants carefully, noting their significant outspending of public investment in innovation.
He said:
“We are having to apply a sense of statecraft to working with companies that we’ve in the past reserved for dealing with other states.”
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Meta’s Position in the AI Landscape
Meta is positioning its AI systems, including Llama, as open-source alternatives that foster innovation while emphasizing responsible content management.
This strategy is part of a broader effort to differentiate itself from competitors like Elon Musk’s X (formerly Twitter), which has faced criticism for its handling of harmful content.
Clegg drew a sharp contrast between Meta and X, particularly in the wake of social media’s role in events such as the UK riots and the U.S. presidential election.
He said:
“Our practices are completely different.
“If you look at the UK riots, most of the people who caused a real problem were figures like Tommy Robinson, who has long been banned from our platform, or Andrew Tate.”
The Challenges Ahead
Meta’s AI push into the UK public sector underscores its ambition to expand beyond social media into critical infrastructure.
However, concerns about the influence of tech giants in public institutions remain a hot topic, with regulators and watchdogs closely monitoring these developments.
The company’s alignment with UK governmental priorities, including its focus on NHS efficiency, is a strategic move to demonstrate the value of its technology while navigating the regulatory landscape.
Still, the balance between fostering innovation and ensuring safety and accountability will be key to Meta’s success in this space.
What’s Next for AI in Public Services?
As Meta deepens its involvement in the UK public sector, its Llama AI system could play a pivotal role in addressing long-standing inefficiencies.
Whether these efforts lead to measurable improvements or fuel further debates about the role of big tech in governance will depend on execution, transparency, and collaboration between public and private stakeholders.
