In a significant move towards modernizing public engagement, the UK government has announced the broader implementation of an artificial intelligence (AI) tool named ‘Consult’. Designed to expedite the analysis of public consultation responses, this initiative aims to enhance efficiency and reduce costs across various governmental departments.
‘Consult’ was initially piloted by the Scottish government during a consultation on the regulation of non-surgical cosmetic procedures, such as lip fillers. In this trial, the AI tool processed over 2,000 responses, identifying key themes that were subsequently reviewed and refined by human experts. The government reported that the AI’s analysis closely mirrored the conclusions drawn by human officials, demonstrating its potential effectiveness in handling large volumes of public feedback.
Integrated into a broader suite of AI tools collectively referred to as ‘Humphrey’, ‘Consult’ is projected to deliver substantial benefits. According to government estimates, its deployment across approximately 500 annual consultations could result in savings of £20 million per year and free up around 75,000 hours of official time. This reallocation of resources is expected to allow civil servants to focus more on policy development and other critical tasks.
Technology Secretary Peter Kyle emphasized the financial and operational advantages of adopting AI in governmental processes. He stated, “No one should be wasting time on something AI can do quicker and better, let alone wasting millions of taxpayer pounds on outsourcing such work to contractors.” Kyle also highlighted the tool’s potential to streamline decision-making and enhance the government’s responsiveness to public input.
Despite the promising prospects, experts have raised concerns regarding the use of AI in public consultations. Professor Michael Rovatsos of the University of Edinburgh’s School of Informatics cautioned about potential biases in AI analysis and the risk of manipulation by malicious actors. He stressed the necessity for rigorous safeguards and substantial investment to ensure the system’s reliability and integrity. “Unlocking the benefits and avoiding the harm requires a lot more additional upfront investment and learning than what it might … ,” Rovatsos remarked.
The government asserts that ‘Consult’ operates 1,000 times faster and is 400 times more cost-effective than traditional human analysis methods. While still in its trial phase, there is an expectation that the tool will be fully implemented across government departments by the end of 202 … . As the UK continues to explore the integration of AI into public administration, the balance between efficiency and ethical considerations remains a focal point of discussion.
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