An artificial intelligence (AI) tool has been used to sort through comments about botox and lip fillers, that were submitted as part of a public consultation, in what officials said was the first use of this kind in the UK. Officials set the tool to work sifting responses to a Scottish government consultation on regulating non-surgical cosmetic procedures. They found it came up with "nearly identical" results, when compared to humans set the same task. It is hoped the tool, dubbed "Consult", will spare civil servants from similar time-consuming tasks in future, and save taxpayers an estimated £20m. Consult is one of a planned set of government AI-powered tools that have collectively been dubbed "Humphrey" after the wily senior civil servant, Sir Humphrey Appleby, from the classic 1980s sitcom Yes, Minister. The series often took aim at excessive bureaucracy in government. In this trial the AI tool examined 2,000 submissions. But public consultations, which gather the views of UK citizens on issues under consideration by ministers, can generate tens of thousands of responses. It was able to identify themes amongst the responses, and counted and catalogued answers accordingly - with human experts checking its work at both stages. Consult's findings were then examined to see how they compared to a team of human experts working in parallel. Technology secretary Peter Kyle said the initial success of the trial meant that Consult would be used across government "very soon". "After demonstrating such promising results, Humphrey will help us cut the costs of governing and make it easier to collect and comprehensively review what experts and the public are telling us on a range of crucial issues," he wrote. The government hopes £45bn can be saved by wider public sector use of AI technology. The government says that Consult is currently still in its trial stage and more evaluation will take place before any final decision to roll it out more widely. There would always be "humans in the loop" checking Consult's work, the government added. Officials have also sought to address some of the persistent concerns about AI systems. One is that they sometimes invent information - a failing known as "hallucinating". Because the AI was only being asked to carry out a relatively limited task, officials said hallucination would not be a major problem. Such AI tools, built using what are known as "large language models" have also displayed bias, as they adsorb the prejudices inherent in the human-generated data on which they are trained. But experts who worked with Consult had found it reduced bias overall, the government said, by removing opportunities for individual human analysts to "project their own preconceived ideas". Consult has also been tested to check it can handle language containing spelling mistakes and other errors. However, for now it only works in English, and responses in other languages spoken within the UK such as Welsh would need to be translated into English first. Sign up for our Tech Decoded newsletterto follow the world's top tech stories and trends.Outside the UK? Sign up here.
AI tool put to test sifting public views on botox and fillers
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"UK Government Trials AI Tool for Analyzing Public Feedback on Cosmetic Procedures"
Bbc News
7.7
TruthLens AI Summary
An innovative artificial intelligence (AI) tool, named 'Consult', has been employed to analyze public comments regarding botox and lip fillers during a Scottish government consultation on regulating non-surgical cosmetic procedures. This initiative marks a pioneering effort in the UK to utilize AI for processing public feedback. The tool successfully sifted through 2,000 submissions, identifying themes and categorizing responses with a level of accuracy that was nearly identical to that achieved by human analysts. The government hopes that by implementing such technology, it can alleviate the workload of civil servants and potentially save taxpayers an estimated £20 million. The broader objective is to harness AI tools to enhance efficiency and reduce costs in various governmental operations. The initiative is part of a larger plan dubbed 'Humphrey', named after a fictional civil servant from the 1980s sitcom 'Yes, Minister', which humorously critiques bureaucratic inefficiencies.
The trial of the Consult tool has garnered positive feedback from officials, including Technology Secretary Peter Kyle, who anticipates its broader application across government functions in the near future. The initial results indicate that AI could significantly streamline the process of collecting and analyzing public opinions on diverse issues. However, the government has assured that human oversight will remain integral to the process, addressing concerns about AI 'hallucinations'—a phenomenon where AI generates inaccurate information. Moreover, the tool has been designed to mitigate bias by minimizing the influence of individual analysts' prejudices. While currently operational only in English, the AI is capable of handling responses with spelling mistakes and other errors. Future plans may include translations for responses in other UK languages, such as Welsh. Overall, the use of AI in public consultations represents a forward-thinking approach to governance, aiming for more effective engagement with citizens while ensuring accountability and accuracy in the evaluation of public sentiment.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article presents a significant development in the use of artificial intelligence (AI) within the UK government, specifically focusing on a new tool designed to streamline the processing of public opinions regarding cosmetic procedures. This initiative reflects broader trends in governance, technology, and public engagement, revealing both potential benefits and underlying implications.
Government Efficiency and Cost Savings
The introduction of the AI tool, named "Consult," aims to enhance efficiency in handling public consultations. The government anticipates substantial cost savings, estimating around £20 million. This narrative of improving efficiency resonates with taxpayers who may appreciate a reduction in bureaucratic overhead. By framing the AI tool as a means to cut costs and streamline operations, officials are likely trying to foster a positive public perception of technology's role in governance.
Public Engagement and Trust
The trial involved analyzing 2,000 submissions, which is a small sample compared to the tens of thousands typically received. While the AI's performance matched human experts in identifying themes, the reliance on AI raises questions about the depth of public engagement and the quality of insights derived from automated analysis. The government may be attempting to project a commitment to listening to public opinion while also integrating modern technology, potentially leading to mixed feelings among citizens regarding the authenticity of such consultations.
Potential Concealment of Issues
There may be underlying concerns about transparency and the extent to which AI can accurately interpret public sentiment. The use of AI could obscure the nuances of human responses, leading to a simplified understanding of complex issues. By focusing on the success of the AI tool, the government might downplay criticisms about the limitations of technology in capturing the full spectrum of public sentiment.
Manipulative Elements
The article's optimistic portrayal of the AI trial could be seen as manipulative if it glosses over potential drawbacks, such as data privacy issues or the risk of over-reliance on technology at the expense of genuine human input. The language used suggests a favorable outcome without addressing possible public skepticism about AI's role in governance.
Comparative Context
In the broader context of news about AI in governance, this article aligns with a growing narrative that emphasizes the modernization of public services. However, it may also connect to discussions about the ethical implications of AI in decision-making processes, especially in sensitive areas like health and beauty.
Impact on Society and Economy
As AI tools like Consult are rolled out, they may significantly alter how public opinions are gathered and processed. This could lead to more efficient governance but also risks alienating segments of the population who may feel that their voices are not adequately heard or represented.
Target Audience
The article primarily appeals to stakeholders interested in government innovation, technology enthusiasts, and taxpayers. By highlighting cost savings and efficiency, it aims to engage those concerned with public spending and administrative effectiveness.
Market Implications
While the article does not directly address stock market implications, companies involved in AI technology could see increased interest as governments explore more applications. Investors may look favorably upon firms that provide AI solutions for public sector efficiency.
Global Power Dynamics
The focus on AI within government operations reflects a broader global trend towards digitization and automation. This aligns with discussions on how nations leverage technology for governance, potentially impacting international relations and competitiveness.
AI in News Production
It's plausible that AI tools influenced the writing of this article, possibly through content generation or data analysis. The structured presentation of findings suggests that AI may have been employed to streamline the reporting process, ensuring clarity and focus on key outcomes.
In conclusion, the article presents an opportunity for the UK government to enhance public engagement through AI while also highlighting the complexities and potential pitfalls of such a technological shift. The overall reliability of the article hinges on its balance between optimistic projections and critical examination of the implications of AI in governance.