For the first time, AI tools are being utilized to evaluate public feedback on government consultations, with plans for broader adoption to help conserve money and staff resources.

The tool, referred to as “consultation,” was initially implemented by the Scottish government to gather insights on regulating non-surgical cosmetic procedures like lip fillers.

According to the UK government, this tool is employed to analyze responses and deliver results comparable to human-generated outputs, with ongoing development aimed at reviewing additional consultations.

It examined over 2,000 responses while highlighting key themes, which were subsequently verified and enhanced by experts from the Scottish government.

The government has developed the consultation tool as part of a new suite of AI technologies known as “Humphrey.” They assert it will “accelerate operations in Whitehall and decrease consulting expenditures.”

Officials claim that, through the 500 consultations conducted each year, this innovative tool could save UK taxpayers £20 million annually, freeing up approximately 75,000 hours for other tasks.

Michael Lobatos, a professor of artificial intelligence at the University of Edinburgh, notes that while the benefits of consultations are significant, the potential for AI bias should not be disregarded.

“The intention is for humans to always oversee the process, but in practice, people may not have the time to verify every detail, leading to bias creeping in,” he stated.

Lobatos also expressed concerns that domestic and international “bad actors” could potentially compromise AI integrity.

“It’s essential to invest in ensuring our systems are secure and effective, which requires significant resources,” he remarked.

“Maximizing benefits while minimizing harm demands more initial investment and training than is typically expected. Ministers and civil servants might see this merely as a cost-saving quick fix, but it is crucial and complex.”

The government asserts that the consultation tool operates 1,000 times faster than humans and is 400 times less expensive, with conclusions “remarkably similar” to those of experts, albeit with less detail.

Discussing the launch of the tool, technology secretary Peter Kyle claimed it would save “millions” for taxpayers.

“There’s no reason to spend time on tasks that AI can perform more quickly and effectively, let alone waste taxpayer money contracting out such work,” he said.

“With promising outcomes, Humphrey helps lower governance costs and efficiently compiles and analyzes feedback from both experts and the public regarding vital issues.”

“The Scottish government has made a courageous first move, and will soon implement consultations across their own department and others within Whitehall.”

While there’s no set timeline for consultations still pending governmental approval, deployment to government agencies is anticipated by the end of 2025.