FOI reference: FOI-2025-3048
You asked
I would like to know what proportion of the ONS workforce currently uses generative AI chatbots (such as ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, or similar tools) to assist in their day-to-day work.
I would appreciate the data being broken down by grade or level of employee (e.g. analysts, senior civil servants, etc.), and by whether the use is officially sanctioned, experimental, or informal.
If the ONS does not directly collect this data, I would be grateful for any internal surveys, estimates, or usage statistics (e.g. IT logs or software access records) that reflect how widely these tools are being used within the organisation.
Please also include the date of the most recent data available.
We said
Thank you for your request.
All ONS staff have access to Microsoft Copilot Web, also referred to as Copilot Chat, accessed through web browser. Similar to general web searches, this form of AI offers generalised capabilities and is not integrated with ONS internal Microsoft 365 data.
In addition, ONS holds 406 licences for M365 Copilot, which is an AI productivity tool embedded within Microsoft 365 applications such as Word, Excel, Outlook, and Teams, governed by existing ONS user permissions.
Within ONS, an AI Leadership Group, alongside clear staff guidance, policies and training, ensure that the same high level of compliance with security, legal and ethical requirements continues to apply to all ONS data.
No other chatbots are approved for use within the organisation.