LONDON, The UK Government has unveiled a NEW artificial intelligence tool designed to analyze public consultation responses up to 1,000 TIMES FASTER than human reviewers, marking a major step toward digitizing policymaking.
The AI system, developed in partnership with leading tech firms and the Government Digital Service, will be used across departments to sift through tens of thousands of consultation submissions in record time. Officials say the tool will cut down review periods from months to mere hours, enabling faster and more data-informed decisions.
Cabinet Office Minister Lucy Frazer praised the move, saying:
“This tool is about listening better and acting faster. It will help us make smarter policy decisions while reducing the burden on civil servants.”
The AI software reportedly uses natural language processing and sentiment analysis to detect common themes, public concerns, and emerging patterns. Early trials in the Department for Transport and DEFRA have shown promising results, with over 95% accuracy in summarizing public input.
However, critics have raised concerns over transparency and accountability, warning that automated systems could overlook minority viewpoints or misinterpret nuanced feedback.
Labour MP Clive Lewis stated, “We must ensure human oversight remains at the core. Democracy cannot be delegated to machines.”
Despite the pushback, government departments are expected to fully integrate the AI system into all major consultations by the end of 2025, part of a broader digital transformation initiative.
The rollout marks the UK as one of the first major governments in Europe to deploy AI at this scale for civic engagement and policymaking.
