Position statement on the use of Artificial Intelligence

Introduction

The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools – such as ChatGPT, Copilot, Gemini, and others – is increasing. Sport England has started using it as a business tool in the delivery of our services.

We are also noticing that applicants and grant recipients are using these tools in their work with us. We understand it can provide great benefits in the form of time savings or if users have access needs, but it also comes with risks.

This guidance explains how we are using it, and how we expect people doing business with us to responsibly manage this technology.

It sets out our advice for external parties across the funding cycle, which covers the time from the submission of application through to decision and across the entire grant term.

Use of AI by Sport England

We will always act lawfully, ethically and responsibly in our use of AI. As an arm’s length body of the UK Government, we follow the principles in the UK Government AI Framework, and we implemented an internal AI policy in February 2026 to guide staff, Board members, and contractors in their responsible and safe use of AI.

Sport England staff and representatives are allowed to use AI tools to help them reduce the time it takes to carry out processes and steps across the funding cycle, including verifying research and information, processing applications, analysing monitoring data and summarising reconciliations. We will also use it to file, retrieve and archive matters.

Sport England staff or representatives are not allowed to use AI tools for decision-making at any stage of the application or grant management process. Sport England staff do this. They are experts in their field. We are committed to ensuring that there is always human oversight at the critical stages within the funding cycle.

Advice for externals

Use of AI by externals:

Entities applying for or receiving funding from us are independent organisations and data controllers. You are expected to manage your own compliant use of any AI technology without reverting to Sport England.
Sport England will accept applications or documentation submitted by your representatives during the application process or funding cycle where you have used AI technologies.
Whether assisted by AI or not, you must ensure your final submission to Sport England is correct.

Our advice when using AI as part of a funding application:

Double check before you submit. You are responsible for the information you give us. Before you submit your application, please make sure it:

is based on your own ideas
clearly explains your project – what you want to do, why you want to do it, when and where it will happen, and who will be involved
includes budgets and plans that are accurate, realistic and meet our funding requirements.

Our position on the specific use of AI to record or transcribe meetings:

If AI is being used to record or transcribe meetings, all attendees should be made aware in advance and have the chance to object before the transcription begins.
Sport England colleagues are allowed to use Microsoft Copilot in Teams for the recording and/or transcribing of work-related meetings with external parties. This is covered by our privacy notice.
Sport England does not allow AI guest notetaker bots to be added to meetings that have been set up by Sport England colleagues, as their viral nature can create significant security, privacy, and compliance risks. This includes Otter.ai, Fireflies, Fathom and Read. Sport England colleagues will ask for these to be removed.
If external parties wish to use other AI technologies to record or transcribe work-related meetings with Sport England colleagues, please submit a request to the DPO inbox in advance of the meeting taking place.

Updates and acknowledgements

This statement explains our current approach to AI use across the funding cycle. As technology and regulation evolve, we may update this guidance and page.

Last updated: May 2026

Position statement on the use of Artificial Intelligence

Introduction

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