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Every leader wants to know: how do you turn AI into real results at scale?  

In a first-of-its-kind study, the UK government gave Microsoft 365 Copilot to 20,000 employees for three months. The findings, based on participant feedback and usage data, offer a rare look at how AI performs at scale in a complex public sector environment. While the results reflect self-reported experiences, they suggest that with the right support, AI can help even the largest organizations operate more like Frontier Firms. 
 
What they did
The UK’s Government Digital Services office gave Copilot to participants across 12 departments—including the Home Office, Ministry of Justice, and Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs. Employees received onboarding support in the form of FAQs, tip sheets, videos, community sessions, and workshops. To evaluate the impact, government researchers collected both usage data and direct feedback from employees.

Government workers report saving time with Copilot

In a UK user perception study, 20,000 government workers who used Copilot for three months reported saving time across all roles.

A bar chart breaking down the average daily time savings, by function, for 20,000 UK government workers after using Copilot for three months, according to a survey. The average savings for all workers was 25 minutes a day, led by project delivery staffers who reported saving more than 35 minutes per day. The top six functions all reported savings of at least 30 minutes per day, while tax workers reported the least time savings at 11 minutes per day.

What they found
On average, employees who took part in the user perception study reported saving more than 25 minutes a day using Copilot—nearly two weeks per year. Over 70% said Copilot helped them spend less time on routine tasks and more time on strategic work.

Beyond productivity, the study surfaced strong positive sentiment: More than 80% said they wouldn’t want to give up Copilot. And many didn’t have to—nine of the 12 departments opted to continue their licenses, and the UK government has since expanded to 31,000 Copilot seats. 

These results were realized in just three months, in keeping with our previous research that shows it can take up to 11 weeks to start building the AI habit. The UK government’s report also notes that “there was strong positive feedback surrounding Microsoft 365 Copilot agents, with many departments eager to explore the tool further.” 

What it means 
The UK government’s study shows that large-scale AI adoption doesn’t have to be slow-going. With careful planning and thoughtful guidance, organizations can unlock meaningful impact in just a few months. The reported time savings are equivalent to giving 1,130 civil servants a full year back—every year—to focus on higher-value work.  

For leaders, the message is clear: AI can deliver measurable ROI, fast. But success depends on more than just access—it requires intentional rollout and a culture ready to embrace change. The UK government’s approach offers a blueprint for how large, complex organizations can move toward becoming Frontier Firms.