The government has invited specialist companies working on agentic AI to team up with Whitehall experts to test the technology.

AI agents could handle life admin by dealing with public services on people's behalf, for example, by filling in forms, completing applications and booking appointments.

To begin with, the tool could be trialled to help people with employment and skills but if successful, the government will experiment to see if agentic AI can help with other life tasks, like updating your address when you move home, or registering with a GP.

UK Technology Secretary Peter Kyle said: "We can entirely rethink and reshape how public services help people through crucial life moments using the power of emerging AI technology. Using agentic AI to its full potential, we could provide a level of service to citizens across the country that was previously unimaginable – helping people to find better career opportunities, avoid wasting their time on government admin and more.

"We are asking the world’s brightest AI developers to work in collaboration with our own brilliant AI teams as we test how valuable their latest tech can be in helping people in their day-to-day lives. At each step, we’ll only progress if the technology can be used in a safe and reliable way – but if it works, we could be the first country in the world to use AI agents at scale."