UK government applies AI to improve efficiency in transport policy consultations
AI system helps UK government identify key public feedback themes with high accuracy, improving response times and policy decisions.
The UK Department for Transport (DfT) has introduced generative AI tools to speed up the analysis of public consultations, significantly reducing time and operational costs. Managing 55 consultations yearly, the department often handles over 100,000 responses per process, previously requiring months of manual review.
A new Consultation Analysis Tool, built with Google Cloud and the Alan Turing Institute, processes large datasets within hours using advanced AI. The system identifies key themes with up to 90% accuracy, enabling faster policy responses while delivering estimated annual savings of £4 million.
Beyond consultation analysis, the department has expanded its use of AI across infrastructure planning and public communication. Cloud-based tools support sustainable transport decisions and help draft public inquiry responses by retrieving policy data and generating structured replies.
Human oversight remains central to the framework. AI-generated outputs are reviewed for accuracy, fairness, and bias, ensuring that final decisions stay with policy experts while maintaining transparency and public trust in government processes.
At a wider level, this reflects how AI can strengthen evidence-based policymaking, improve administrative efficiency, and free up expert capacity for higher-value decision-making, provided that transparency, accountability, and human oversight remain embedded in the process.
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