Applications have opened for the Civil Service AI and Data Challenge, which invites ideas from civil servants on how to use tech to improve public services, from tackling benefit fraud to reducing NHS waiting times.

Previous winners include a project using AI and aerial images to map peatlands, technology now deployed across England.

Technology Minister Ian Murray said the initiative will “use tech to fix our broken public services as rapidly as possible” as part of the government’s Plan for Change.

Entries close on the 5th November, with the winning project set to receive £50,000 in funding and technical support.