The UK government is exploring a faster, smarter way to handle public feedback with a new AI tool called Consult AI. Designed to analyse vast amounts of public responses, Consult has successfully passed its first real-world test with the Scottish Government, offering a glimpse into the future of data-driven policymaking.
Consult’s First Test: Understanding Public Opinion
The Scottish Government recently used Consult to analyse feedback from over 2,000 people on the regulation of non-surgical cosmetic procedures like lip fillers and laser hair removal. The AI processed responses, identified recurring themes, and categorised feedback across six key questions. Its findings were nearly identical to those of human analysts.
To ensure accuracy, officials manually reviewed each response, verifying Consult’s categorisations. The result? A confirmation that the AI could save both time and money, while maintaining reliability.
Why the UK Is Turning to AI for Public Consultations
Current public consultation processes in the UK are slow, expensive, and often outsourced to external contractors. Millions of taxpayer pounds are spent each year on analysing public feedback across approximately 500 consultations annually. AI tools like Consult could change this by saving an estimated 75,000 days of manual analysis every year.
Technology Secretary Peter Kyle emphasized the potential savings and efficiency:
“No one should be wasting time on something AI can do quicker and better.”
Part of a Bigger AI Toolkit: Humphrey
Consult is a part of a larger suite of digital tools called Humphrey, created to support UK civil servants by reducing administrative work and cutting contractor costs. The goal is to build a leaner, more responsive government aligned with the UK’s “Plan for Change,” which aims to achieve £45 billion in productivity savings.
Balancing AI with Human Oversight
While Consult significantly reduces the workload, it hasn’t replaced human analysts. Experts still verify themes and oversee the AI’s work using an interactive dashboard. This ensures public responses are fairly interpreted and accurately represented in policy development.
Public Health Minister Jenni Minto praised the AI tool:
“It helped us move more quickly to focus on policy questions while knowing we had truly heard the public’s views.”
Officials Impressed with Early Results
Civil servants who used Consult were reportedly “pleasantly surprised.” Many said it saved significant time and brought more consistency to the feedback analysis process, reducing the risk of personal bias affecting results.
Experts Urge Caution and Ethical Oversight
While the technology shows promise, experts have advised a measured and transparent approach.
- Stuart Harvey of Datactics stressed the importance of high-quality data, ethical governance, and maintaining human involvement in decision-making.
- Professor Michael Rovatsos from the University of Edinburgh warned of potential AI biases and called for safeguards.
- Stuart Munton of AND Digital highlighted the need to train public sector staff in AI tools to ensure inclusive, effective use.
What’s Next for Consult?
Though still in its trial phase, Consult is expected to be deployed across various government departments by end of 2025. The tool could be transformative, especially for large-scale consultations with tens of thousands of responses.
However, officials remain committed to a hybrid model where AI handles the heavy lifting and human experts provide critical oversight, ensuring both speed and accuracy in public policy development.
Conclusion
The UK government’s introduction of AI tools like Consult marks a significant step toward modernizing public services. If deployed responsibly, with attention to ethics, data quality, and human oversight, Consult could become a powerful asset in making government faster, fairer, and more responsive to the people it serves.
