In a UK first, an AI tool analyzed public consultation comments on Botox and lip fillers, assisting the Scottish government in regulating non-surgical cosmetic procedures.
The AI, named “Consult,” processed 2,000 responses, achieving results virtually identical to those of human analysts.
This success is projected to save taxpayers an estimated £20 million by streamlining future consultations, which often receive tens of thousands of submissions.
Consult is part of the government’s “Humphrey” suite of AI tools, named after the wily civil servant from the sitcom *Yes, Minister*, aiming to reduce bureaucratic burdens.
The AI identified themes, counted answers, and catalogued responses, with human oversight at each stage. A comparison with parallel human analysis confirmed its accuracy.
Technology Secretary Peter Kyle announced that Consult’s success signifies a government-wide rollout “very soon,” contributing to the government’s broader £45 billion AI-driven savings target.
While currently in a trial phase, the government emphasizes that human review will remain integral to the process, mitigating concerns about AI “hallucinations” (fabricating information).
Addressing potential biases inherent in large language models, officials highlight Consult’s capacity to reduce bias by minimizing individual analyst preconceptions.
Testing demonstrates Consult’s ability to handle spelling errors and other linguistic imperfections, although current functionality is limited to English.
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