Readers help support Windows Report. We may get a commission if you buy through our links.
Read our disclosure page to find out how can you help Windows Report sustain the editorial team. Read more
Meta is investing $1 million into a new initiative designed to bring top UK AI talent into public service. The company, in partnership with the UK government and the Alan Turing Institute, has announced the Open Source AI Fellowship, set to kick off in January 2026.
The 12-month program aims to embed AI experts across government departments, where they’ll tackle real-world public sector problems. That could include streamlining planning approvals, aiding NHS staff during network failures, or enhancing national security through better language translation models.
The fellowship comes with a twist: all solutions must use open-source AI. Unlike closed systems, open source models are publicly shareable and modifiable. In a press release, Meta explained that this approach ensures that anything developed stays government-owned, keeping sensitive data secure and avoiding vendor lock-in.
One early target is expanding the government’s new AI tool bundle “Humphrey,” which can already take meeting notes and analyze consultation responses. Fellows will help grow its capabilities using open-source methods.
Backing the concept, a joint report from the Social Market Foundation and Meta called for broader adoption of open AI models in government. The UK estimates that embracing this approach could unlock up to £45 billion in productivity gains.
Applications for the fellowship go live next week. The Alan Turing Institute will run the program, which could reshape how governments use AI while giving researchers a chance to work on systems that matter.
