UK civil servants use GTA Online for research

Civil servants at the UK's Department for Education participated in online gaming sessions within Grand Theft Auto Online as part of a taxpayer-funded research project to understand public perspectives, an initiative that has drawn sharp criticism from opposition politicians.

The project was conducted by Policy Lab, a government unit that employs unconventional research methods. According to official materials, staff joined members of the public in the game during late 2024, participating in virtual activities like driving around, running businesses, and completing missions such as robbing a jewelry store. The aim was to conduct focus groups and observe interactions in what researchers described as an "emotionally safe space" to glean "impactful insights about people's lived experience."

Officials reported that the virtual setting made some participants, particularly those in remote locations, feel more comfortable discussing personal topics than they might in a traditional interview. They also noted that players enjoyed engaging in activities, like managing a successful business, that they do not have access to in real life.

Policy Lab, which employs around 30 staff, was...