UK government uses AI to boost efficiency and save taxpayer money
AI tools are helping public services work faster and deliver better value for taxpayers.
The UK government has developed an AI tool, named ‘Consult’, which analysed over 50,000 responses to the Independent Water Commission review in just two hours. The system matched human accuracy and could save 75,000 days of work annually, worth £20 million in staffing costs.
Consult sorted responses into key themes at a cost of just £240, with experts needing only 22 hours to verify the results. The AI agreed with human experts 83% of the time, versus 55% between humans, letting officials focus on policy instead of administrative work.
The technology has also been used to analyse consultations for the Scottish government on non-surgical cosmetics and the Digital Inclusion Action Plan. Part of the Humphrey suite, the tool helps government act faster and deliver better value for taxpayers.
Digital Government Minister Ian Murray highlighted the potential of AI to deliver efficient services and save costs. Engineers are using insights from Consult and Redbox to develop new tools, including GOV.UK Chat, a generative AI chatbot soon to be trialled in the GOV.UK App.
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