The UK government recently announced a new AI tool that could dramatically speed up hospital discharges by drafting paperwork for doctors. This large-language-model AI scans patient records to extract diagnoses and test results, then writes draft discharge summaries. In practice, it means doctors can spend less time on admin and more time with patients – the “precious gift of time” that lets loved ones get home faster.

According to Health Secretary Wes Streeting, the tool will help doctors “spend less time on paperwork and more time with patients, getting people home to their families faster.” As a result, patients stuck on wards waiting for forms could finally be discharged much sooner than under the old, inefficient system.

These AI projects are part of the government’s AI Exemplars programme – a push to modernise public services. For example:

• Healthcare Administration: The new AI-assisted discharge tool drafts documents by extracting key patient details, helping doctors fill forms faster. This cuts delays – giving hospital staff “the precious gift of time” to focus on care.

• Justice System: “Justice Transcribe” AI automatically transcribes probation officers’ meeting notes, halving the time they spend on paperwork.

• Urban Planning: The ‘Extract’ tool converts decades-old, handwritten planning documents and maps into digital data in minutes, saving councils an estimated 250,000 hours each year.

• Education: An “AI Content Store” is being built to help teachers automate lesson planning and marking, freeing them up for more face-to-face teaching.

Each of these examples shows AI taking over routine, time-consuming tasks – from writing reports to transcribing notes – so professionals can focus on higher-value work.

Business Efficiency Through AI

These public-sector projects highlight a key lesson for businesses: similar AI tools can streamline your workflows. Every company has paperwork, reports or data to process. AI, especially modern generative AI and large language models, can automate many of those tasks. For instance, an AI could draft emails or reports, summarise documents, analyse data, or transcribe meetings, just as it does for doctors and probation officers. This means your staff spend less time on repetitive admin and more time on customers, innovation, or core business activities.

Research confirms the huge potential. McKinsey estimates that AI could unlock about $4.4 trillion in added productivity from corporate use cases worldwide. In fact, 92% of companies plan to increase their AI investments in the next few years. However, only a tiny fraction currently feel fully ready. Most organisations are still learning how to integrate AI into daily work.

At Black Sheep Support, we help businesses bridge that gap. We can analyse your operations to identify tasks ripe for AI automation – whether it’s handling customer queries, generating reports, or processing forms – and then implement the right AI solution. Our team will ensure the technology fits your needs (and data security requirements) so you get real time savings and error reduction. The goal is for your employees to have more time for strategic work, just as doctors will be freed from paperwork by the discharge tool.

The Infrastructure Behind AI: Data Centres and Sustainability

AI’s rapid growth is driving a boom in UK data centres, with nearly 100 new sites planned to meet demand. While this expansion enables faster, more reliable AI services, it also raises concerns over energy and water use. New facilities could add up to 71 TWh of electricity demand in the next 25 years. Operators are exploring greener solutions like renewable energy and dry-cooling, but for businesses it’s a reminder: when adopting AI, consider both the efficiency gains and the environmental footprint of the technology.

Partnering with Black Sheep Support

Embracing AI can feel complex, but you don’t have to do it alone. Black Sheep Support specialises in helping organisations of all sizes adopt AI and data solutions.

We’ll work with you to: assess which parts of your process can benefit most from AI, select or build the right tools (like chatbots, document processors, or analytics models), and train your team to use them responsibly. By leveraging AI where it makes sense, we can help you boost productivity, reduce errors, and free up employee time – just as the NHS and other services are doing.

If you’re curious how AI could transform your business, get in touch with Black Sheep Support. Our experts can answer your questions and guide you toward the AI strategies that will save you time and money. Let us help you harness AI’s power so your staff can focus on the work that matters most.