“Oi, GPT! You got any advice for me?”
The UK‘s science and technology minister has turned to AI chatbot ChatGPT for guidance on policy matters and personal career advancement, revealing an interesting dynamic in how government officials are embracing the very technologies they oversee. This unusual intersection of policymaking and AI adoption offers a glimpse into how artificial intelligence is being integrated into government operations, even as officials work to promote wider AI adoption across British society.
What happened: Science and Tech Secretary Peter Kyle consulted ChatGPT for policy insights about UK small businesses’ slow AI adoption and advice on which podcasts would help him reach the widest audience.
- Records obtained through freedom of information requests show Kyle asked the chatbot which podcasts would be “appropriate for my ministerial responsibilities,” with ChatGPT recommending shows like The Infinite Monkey Cage and The Naked Scientists.
- Kyle also prompted ChatGPT to explain why small businesses in the UK were slow to adopt AI technology.
The chatbot’s response: When asked about slow business adoption of AI, ChatGPT cited several factors hampering implementation across UK small and medium businesses.
- The AI system highlighted “limited awareness and understanding,” “regulatory and ethical concerns,” and “lack of government or institutional support” as primary barriers.
- ChatGPT specifically noted that while government initiatives exist, many small businesses “are unaware of these programs or find them difficult to navigate.”
The minister’s perspective: Kyle has publicly acknowledged his frequent use of ChatGPT as a learning tool to better understand innovation contexts.
- In a January interview, Kyle stated that ChatGPT is “fantastically good” and described it as “a very good tutor” for topics he struggles to understand in depth.
- A government spokesperson clarified that Kyle’s AI usage “does not substitute comprehensive advice he routinely receives from officials.”
The bigger picture: Prime Minister Keir Starmer has unveiled ambitious plans to integrate AI throughout British government operations.
- Starmer recently announced intentions to “mainline AI into the veins” of the British state, framing it as a “unique chance” to boost economic growth and living standards.
- The Prime Minister claimed AI could help unlock £45 billion in efficiency savings by replacing or streamlining civil servants’ work.
Implementation strategy: The government is developing a systematic approach to integrate AI across all departments.
- Starmer stated, “We are going to get the best of best on AI working across government,” with teams being deployed to every department.
- These teams will operate with “a clear mission from me to make the state more innovative and efficient,” according to the Prime Minister.
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