In a first-of-its-kind experiment in the UK, a government-backed artificial intelligence tool has been deployed to evaluate public opinions on cosmetic procedures such as botox and lip fillers. The initiative, tested during a Scottish government consultation on non-surgical aesthetic treatments, is being hailed as a potential breakthrough in reducing bureaucratic workloads and public spending.
AI-Powered Analysis of Public Sentiment
The AI tool, named Consult, analyzed over 2,000 responses submitted by the public. These entries formed part of a wider consultation to regulate non-invasive cosmetic practices. According to officials, the AI-generated results closely mirrored those generated by human analysts, successfully identifying common themes and categorizing feedback with a high degree of accuracy.
This marks a major step forward in integrating AI into public administration, with early results suggesting that the tool could save the government up to £20 million in labor costs.
The ‘Humphrey’ Project: Redefining Bureaucracy with AI
Consult is one of several AI systems under development, collectively referred to as “Humphrey”, inspired by the cunning civil servant from the BBC’s classic Yes, Minister sitcom. These tools are designed to address inefficiencies in public sector consultations, which can sometimes generate tens of thousands of responses that require manual review.
Technology Secretary Peter Kyle confirmed that the success of the Consult trial has paved the way for its broader deployment across government departments. “Humphrey will help us streamline consultation processes, reduce costs, and ensure that public voices are heard more effectively,” Kyle stated.
Safeguards and Human Oversight
Despite promising results, officials emphasized that the AI is still in a testing phase. Human experts continue to validate its work at every stage, maintaining a “humans-in-the-loop” model to prevent errors and ensure data integrity.
Concerns about AI hallucinations—where systems generate inaccurate information—were addressed by limiting the tool’s function to sorting and tagging responses, minimizing risks of misinformation.
Additionally, by automating content analysis, officials believe the AI may reduce human bias, which can inadvertently affect policy decisions during manual analysis.
Limitations and Language Barriers
While Consult has shown resilience in processing text with spelling and grammatical errors, it currently operates exclusively in English. Responses submitted in Welsh or other UK languages would require translation, highlighting a future area for development in inclusive language processing.
AI and the Future of Public Consultation
The successful trial of Consult signals a potential transformation in how government departments engage with the public. With the broader public sector aiming to save up to £45 billion through AI integration, tools like Consult could be central to smarter governance.
As the government prepares for further evaluations and a potential nationwide rollout, the intersection of AI and civic engagement may soon redefine how decisions are made—making consultations faster, more accurate, and more inclusive.
