A new AI tool Consult is reshaping how the UK government processes public feedback and early results show it could save time, money, and frustration.
Instead of hiring contractors to sift through thousands of public comments, the UK is now testing an AI-powered assistant designed to speed up the consultation process. Technology Secretary Peter Kyle is clear on the mission: “No one should waste time or taxpayer money on tasks AI can handle better and faster.”
Developed as part of a wider AI suite named Humphrey, Consult recently passed its first major test with the Scottish Government. The tool was used to analyze public responses on new regulations for non-surgical cosmetic procedures like lip fillers and laser hair removal. It handled over 2,000 responses, summarizing public opinion across six key questions. And the kicker? Its findings closely matched what human analysts uncovered—just in a fraction of the time.
How Consult Helped Streamline Public Feedback in Scotland
Consult’s job was to scan the responses, identify recurring themes, and sort them into clear categories. While the AI did the heavy lifting, human experts still played a role—reviewing the initial analysis, tweaking it where necessary, and verifying accuracy. For safety, the Scottish Government also did a full manual review alongside the AI to ensure no nuance was lost.
Officials were impressed. The differences between human and AI analysis were minor, and Consult gave civil servants more time to focus on what the public really meant—not just reading mountains of data. Some even said the tool made the process feel fairer and more consistent, helping eliminate unconscious bias from human analysts.
With about 500 public consultations happening in the UK each year, this tech could be a game changer. If rolled out more broadly, Consult could save as many as 75,000 days of manual work annually.
AI Can Assist But Human Oversight Remains Critical
Despite the early success, experts warn that AI in government must be handled carefully. Stuart Harvey of Datactics says the effectiveness of tools like Consult depends heavily on data quality. “AI is only as good as the data behind it,” he notes. “Messy or outdated data can easily lead to biased outcomes.”
Academics like Professor Michael Rovatsos also stress the need for robust governance and transparency, especially when AI is involved in public decision-making. He advocates for strict safeguards, regular testing, and ongoing investment to ensure tools like Consult remain accurate, fair, and resistant to misuse.
Others, like Stuart Munton from AND Digital, agree. “We must keep people at the center of this AI-driven transformation,” he said. “Equipping public servants with the right training is just as important as deploying smart tools.”
For now, Consult remains in its trial phase—but its early success in Scotland has fast-tracked plans for expansion. By the end of 2025, the tool is expected to roll out across Whitehall departments as part of the UK’s broader ‘Plan for Change’, which aims to find £45 billion in productivity savings.
If used responsibly, Consult could help make government more responsive, transparent, and efficient—without cutting humans out of the process.
