By Gareth Mapp, Managing Director, Warp Technologies Ltd.
In the rush to harness the power of AI, many organisations — especially in the public sector — are jumping straight to the shiny stuff.
- “CoPilot will automate admin tasks.”
- “Power Platform will transform workflows.”
- “GenAI will deliver smarter services and faster outputs.”
All true. In theory.
But in practice? Without the right foundations, AI often overpromises and underdelivers.
At Warp Technologies, we’ve seen this play out time and again. The problem isn’t the tech. It’s the readiness.
The UK’s AI Opportunity – and Challenge
According to the Office for National Statistics, around 41% of public sector time is spent on activities that could be supported through generative AI tools1.
Yet a National Audit Office report found that:
- 70% of government bodies face challenges recruiting and retaining staff with AI skills
- And around 50% of roles in civil service digital and data campaigns remain unfilled2
That’s a huge gap between potential and preparedness.
Where AI Rollouts Go Wrong
Too many organisations are deploying AI before they’re ready — and it shows:
- CoPilot rolled out with no change management or training
- AI agents hitting data silos they can’t break through
- Compliance teams left wondering how to govern AI use
- Employees still asking, “What is AI, anyway?”
Sound familiar?
The Foundations of True AI Readiness
We’ve learned — sometimes the hard way — that successful AI strategies start with readiness, not rollout.
Here’s what that looks like:
✅ Align tech with outcomes
Don’t adopt AI because it’s trendy — adopt it because it supports your service goals.
✅ Upskill your people
Build confidence, competence and shared understanding across teams.
✅ Get your data in shape
Structured, accessible and secure data is non-negotiable for AI value.
✅ Establish guardrails
Ethics, privacy and governance aren’t optional — they’re foundational.
✅ Have the courage to wait
Sometimes the smartest move is saying not yet until the building blocks are in place.
Capability Over Code
The public sector is under pressure to modernise — and AI absolutely has a role to play.
But rushing in without readiness? That’s a fast track to disillusionment.
We’re working with public sector organisations that are taking this seriously. They’re not just buying tools — they’re investing in capability. And that’s where the magic happens.
“AI strategy has to start with readiness… not rollout.”
– Gareth Mapp, MD, Warp Technologies Ltd.
Ready to Get Ready?
Warp Technologies supports public sector organisations through every stage of AI adoption — from initial strategy through to responsible scaling.
📩 Let’s talk about where you are on your journey.
