Technology secretary turns to AI for advice, FOI reveals

The UK's technology secretary has asked ChatGPT for advice on how to accelerate the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) across the business sector.

Peter Kyle queried the AI chatbot on why small and medium businesses (SMB) have been slow in rolling out AI tools, according to records obtained via a freedom of information request (FOI) by the New Scientist.

ChatGPT gave Kyle a 10-point list on the barriers SMBs face, citing “data protection laws” and “limited” funding.

The chatbot said: “While the UK government has launched initiatives to encourage AI adoption, many SMBs are unaware of these programs or find them difficult to navigate. Limited access to funding or incentives to de-risk AI investment can also deter adoption.”

It added: “Compliance with data protection laws, such as GDPR [a data privacy law], can be a significant hurdle. SMBs may worry about legal and ethical issues associated with using AI.”

A UK Government spokesperson said:“As the cabinet minister responsible for AI, the secretary of state does make use of this technology. This does not substitute comprehensive advice he routinely receives from officials.

  “The government is using AI as a labour-saving tool – supported by clear guidance on how to quickly and safely make use of the technology."

It comes as Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced new plans to use AI to revamp civil service earlier today. He said: “No person’s substantive time should be spent on a task where digital or AI can do it better, quicker and to the same high quality and standard”.

Starmer has claimed the digitalisation of Whitehall will bring £45bn in savings.

And speaking to Sky News earlier today Kyle said the government’s vision for an AI-powered civil service will “almost certainly” bring  down the headcount across the civil service.

The UK Government has already announced plans for AI to overhaul public services, in a bid to kickstart a “decade of national renewal”.

As part of the plan, it unveiled a new package of AI tools for civil servants in an effort to “modernise the state”. One tool, named Consult, will be used to analyse consultation responses, in a move which is expected to bring down spending.