Business & Technology
AI makes public sector IT jobs more demanding, survey finds
SOFIAH NICHOLE SALIVIO
News Editor
SolarWinds has published research suggesting AI is making work more demanding for many public sector IT teams, based on a global survey of IT professionals.
More than half of public sector respondents, 56%, said AI had made their roles more demanding. Another 74% said AI was changing how work gets done without reducing overall workload.
The findings point to a gap between expectations that AI will ease pressure on public sector technology teams and the day-to-day reality of introducing and managing new systems. They also suggest IT departments are taking on additional oversight and operational work as organisations add AI tools to existing estates.
A central issue was the state of public sector infrastructure. Nine in 10 respondents from public sector organisations said their IT systems were fragmented across platforms, which can complicate the rollout and management of new technology.
This fragmentation matters because AI tools often sit on top of established systems rather than replace them outright. That can leave teams managing a broader mix of platforms, processes and governance requirements at a time when many departments are already under pressure to maintain services with limited resources.
The survey also highlighted the effect on staff workload and concentration. Some 32% of public sector professionals said cognitive load had increased, while 35% said it had fallen in some areas but risen in others.
Policy gaps
Respondents also pointed to shortcomings in organisational rules and training. More than half, 59%, said clearer AI policies and guardrails would help teams adapt. Skills gaps and insufficient training were also identified as leading challenges as automation becomes more widespread.
The most sought-after skills identified in the research were designing AI-driven workflows, cited by 50% of respondents, evaluating and validating AI outputs at 43%, and interpreting AI-generated insights at 42%. The findings suggest public sector employers are looking for staff who can oversee and test AI use, rather than simply deploy tools.
The survey covered 1,040 IT professionals globally, including 200 respondents from government, healthcare and education. It examined AI adoption, operational complexity, changing job roles and expectations for IT organisations.
Rich Giblin, Head of Public Sector and Defence at SolarWinds, commented on the findings. “Public sector organisations are under real pressure to do more with less, so it’s understandable that Artificial Intelligence is being looked to as part of the answer. But, as powerful as it is, AI only helps if it’s implemented thoughtfully, and if the technology itself doesn’t become another burden for already stretched teams.”
“If adopting AI requires a major project, complex configuration or dedicated resource to manage it, then the effort hasn’t been reduced, it has just been moved. The tools that create the most value in resource-constrained environments are the ones that are practical to deploy, easy to use and able to deliver benefits from day one.”
“There is also a clear need to be realistic about where AI adds value. Used well, it can support efficiency and help teams work differently, but it should only be applied within clear boundaries. The most effective organisations will be the ones that treat AI as a precision tool to support service quality, rather than as a blanket fix for pressure on teams,” Giblin said.
Planted Plates, founded by Didcot entrepreneur Henna Afzal, began as a food truck at the park’s street food pop-up event, Milton Feast, in 2021.
After five years of steady growth, the business has moved from its first bricks-and-mortar site on Eastern Avenue to a larger unit at Signal Yard, marking a return to its roots within the Milton Park community.
Ms Afzal said: “When I started Planted Plates, I simply wanted to create food that people genuinely looked forward to eating. For me, it’s always been about flavour first.
“You don’t have to be vegan to enjoy great food, and we’ve been incredibly lucky to build such a supportive community of customers over the last few years.
“Milton Park has been part of our journey from the beginning.”
Planted Plates offers a daily-changing menu of plant-based breakfasts, lunches, pastries, and barista coffee.
The new space includes a larger seating area designed to encourage people to meet, work, and socialise throughout the day.
Ms Afzal added: “Starting at Milton Feast gave us the opportunity to test ideas, build a following and grow the business.
“Opening at Signal Yard feels like a full-circle moment and we’re excited to welcome both familiar faces and new customers through the door.
“I am incredibly proud of how far the business has come.
“This move gives us the opportunity to expand our offer, grow the team and continue building something that people genuinely enjoy being part of.”
The cafe also provides vegan catering services to businesses across Milton Park, using a zero-CO2 delivery vehicle.
Ms Afzal’s brother, Jack, has now joined the team as the company looks to recruit further staff.
The opening of Planted Plates is part of Milton Park’s £14m investment in Signal Yard, which aims to create a new social and retail destination for the park’s 280+ companies and the wider community.
Clare Fleet, asset manager of Milton Park at Federated Hermes Real Estate, said: “One of the ambitions for Signal Yard has always been to support independent businesses and create a destination that brings people together.
“Planted Plates perfectly captures that vision.
“Henna has built a fantastic business at Milton Park over the last five years and we’re delighted to see her become the first food and beverage operator to open at Signal Yard.”
Signal Yard is bringing together a mix of independent retailers, food and beverage operators, and health and wellbeing services in a central location at Milton Park.
Planted Plates has also been shortlisted in the Ox in a Box Awards, which celebrate Oxfordshire’s favourite independent food and drink businesses.
Public voting is open via the Ox in a Box website until 20 June 2026.
Rhubarb Seating, based in Oxfordshire, earned the title in Design Conformity’s 2026 industry report, which assessed the sustainability performance of more than 170,000 furniture businesses across the UK and Europe.
It was one of only four UK companies to receive the ‘Leader’ classification, reserved for just 0.1 per cent of those evaluated.
David Matthews, director at Rhubarb Seating, said: “Rhubarb has always got one eye on refurbishment and future-proofing when developing a product, focusing on making it easy to reupholster, repair and re-use.
“Being recognised above most of the sector’s biggest names validates what we’ve always believed: good design and sustainable design are the same thing.”
The recognition follows independent verification of Rhubarb’s Cantay and Banquette seating ranges through Design Conformity’s Carbon Efficiency platform.
Both products achieved C3 Carbon Efficiency Ratings, reflecting strong performance in planned reuse.
The analysis found the Cantay 2-Seater Sofa had a verified carbon footprint of 60.99kg CO₂e, while the Banq Medium Back Straight unit recorded 69.48kg CO₂e.
Mr Matthews said: “There is definitely something inherently beautiful about a board of timber, utilised to its maximum, to create the component elements of a piece of furniture.”
Certified products are now listed on the Design Conformity directory.
Widmore Park in Sonning Common, Oxfordshire, is once again backing Rotherfield United Walking Football Club and will provide two new goalposts as well as tournament shirts for the entire squad as part of its sponsorship.
The support builds on a growing partnership which has previously included sponsorship of a charity music event to help raise funds for the club’s nominated charities.
Ian Beale, a member of Rotherfield United Walking Football Club, said: “Sponsorship from Inspired Villages has been a very welcome boost to our club.
“We are a thriving Walking Football club but Inspired Villages support enabled us to buy new goals and a set of great new shirts which are used in monthly league matches.
“As we celebrate our 10th anniversary in 2026, we are looking to continued success and fun future years too.”
Widmore Park, owned and operated by Inspired Villages, is set to open this summer.
Georgina Ackary-Hawthorn, village manager at Widmore Park, said: “Rotherfield United Walking Football Club has been a fantastic community partner from the very beginning.
“Supporting the walking football team feels like a natural next step, as it reflects everything we stand for at Inspired Villages.
“We’re excited to see how this partnership continues to benefit both the team and the wider community.”
Widmore Park will offer 133 sustainable homes for residents aged 65 and over.
It will also feature communal amenities including a restaurant, café, hair salon, wellness centre, and fitness studio.
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