How AI can lift the weight of public sector administration
Liquid’s public sector AI survey results show that reducing paperwork is the top priority for AI investment. With the right focus, government can transform administrative effort into productivity gains and better services.
Steven Marrinan

People choose to join government to make a difference. Every day, they balance the demands of administration with the goal of delivering high-quality services to the community. New technologies like artificial intelligence are creating opportunities to lighten that load, so that more time and energy can be directed to where it matters most.

The Mandarin/Liquid “Let’s get real about AI” survey highlighted that 42% of public servants see reducing administrative burden as the most important place to invest in AI. This is a powerful signal of where technology can make the biggest impact, by helping people focus less on process and more on outcomes.

Turning paperwork into progress
Government is built on information. Managing that information across many systems and formats can be time-intensive, but AI can help make the process faster, more accurate and more seamless. From scanning documents for key details to validating applications for completeness, AI can support staff by streamlining the flow of information. The result is more time available for complex decision-making and service delivery.

Unlocking the value of information
At the heart of administration lies a challenge: information comes in many shapes and forms, from PDFs to handwritten notes. AI technologies such as natural language processing and machine learning make it possible to interpret these diverse inputs and turn them into structured, usable data. When that happens, processes become smoother, errors are reduced, and information becomes easier to access when it is needed.

The key to making this effective lies in how the tools are applied. AI works best when embedded into workflows in a way that complements existing roles and responsibilities. This ensures that technology adoption strengthens — rather than disrupts — the way people deliver services.

Learning from successful examples
There are already examples showing how much can be achieved. In the United Kingdom, Consult AI has been used to analyse tens of thousands of consultation responses, providing insights in weeks rather than months and helping shape policy with greater speed and confidence. In Australia, the Bureau of Statistics has applied machine learning to code millions of census occupation responses. Human coders still play a role, but their expertise is now focused where it adds the most value.

These projects demonstrate that AI can be safely and effectively embedded into live systems, saving time while strengthening outcomes. They also show how people and technology can work together, with AI handling high-volume tasks and humans applying judgment and expertise.

Building momentum and confidence
Public servants are already exploring AI tools in their day-to-day work. The appetite for innovation is clear. The opportunity now is to support this energy with solutions that are sustainable, well-integrated and designed to scale. When new approaches deliver visible improvements — such as shorter turnaround times or clearer workflows — trust grows quickly and momentum builds.

By starting where the need is greatest and scaling step by step, agencies can ensure that AI becomes a reliable part of the way work gets done. Success depends on aligning solutions with real problems and designing them to endure.

The conditions needed for success
To realise these benefits, AI must be introduced in ways that fit within existing workflows and responsibilities. This means:

Ensuring systems and data are ready to support automation
Aligning AI capabilities with clearly defined needs
Building staff confidence and providing training where needed
Starting small, in areas of high-friction and low-risk, and scaling step by step
When these conditions are met, public servants gain confidence in the technology, and organisations see momentum build quickly.

A smarter way forward
Reducing administrative burden may sound modest, but it is the area where AI can deliver the most immediate benefits for both staff and the community. When processes run smoothly, public servants have more capacity to apply their expertise, collaborate with colleagues and serve citizens directly.

The examples of Consult AI in the UK and the ABS’s automation in Australia show what is possible. With thoughtful design and careful implementation, AI can help government move faster, work smarter and create more time for the work that matters most.

Another proven example is Unearth AI, Liquid’s sovereign AI platform, which is already being used by government to reduce administrative burden and free up capacity for higher-value work, reinforcing that the best place to begin with AI is where the need is clear, the burden is high, and the benefits can be seen quickly.

How AI can lift the weight of public sector administration

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