UK government deploys AI ‘Humphrey’ to streamline public consultations and boost civil service efficiency

UK Government Deploys AI System ‘Humphrey’ to Streamline Public Consultation Reviews

The UK government has introduced an AI system named Humphrey to assist in reviewing thousands of public consultations efficiently. Named after a fictional bureaucrat from the 1980s British sitcom Yes Minister, Humphrey is a multi-tool AI suite aimed at improving how government departments handle large volumes of consultation data.

First Deployment: Scottish Government’s Consultation on Cosmetic Treatments

The Scottish Government has been the first to use Humphrey’s Consult tool in a live environment. This tool was applied to a consultation regarding the regulation of non-surgical cosmetic treatments like laser hair removal and lip fillers. Consult processed over 2,000 responses, identifying and organising key themes based on six qualitative questions.

According to Peter Kyle, the UK’s technology secretary, “No one should be wasting time on something AI can do quicker and better.” Humphrey aims to reduce costs and enhance the thoroughness of public and expert feedback analysis.

The tool demonstrated time savings equivalent to 75,000 days of manual analysis annually, with potential staffing cost savings of £20 million (US$26.7 million). Compared to human analysts, Consult delivered nearly identical results in ranking key themes, while also reducing human bias.

The Expanding AI Toolkit in UK Government

Humphrey is part of a broader set of AI tools developed this year to support government functions. Peter Kyle highlighted that Consult operates 1,000 times faster and 400 times cheaper than manual processing. The government conducts thousands of consultations, which traditionally demand extensive time due to complex legislation and regulation.

• Parlex: Assists policymakers in searching and analysing decades of parliamentary debates.
• Minute: Provides secure transcription and customizable summaries of meetings for public servants.
• Lex: Supports legal research by summarising relevant laws for complex issues.
• Redbox: A generative AI tool that helps civil servants with daily tasks such as policy summarisation and briefing preparation.

Additional AI Innovations Supporting Government Efficiency

In April, the government’s AI Incubator began collaborating with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) on a tool called Extract. Extract digitises planning data by converting blurry maps and handwritten notes into machine-readable formats at high speed. This tool aims to help councils make faster, more informed planning decisions, contributing to the government’s goal of building 1.5 million new homes over five years.

Extract can perform in 40 seconds what typically takes planners 1-2 hours, streamlining workflows significantly.

The same month, a new directorate was established within MHCLG to scale AI adoption in local government services. This unit focuses on improving service delivery, removing innovation blockers, enhancing data standards and integration, and engaging suppliers effectively.

What This Means for Government Professionals

Humphrey and its suite of tools represent a practical step toward reducing manual workloads and improving the accuracy of public consultation analysis. Government officials can expect faster processing times, cost savings, and less bias in data interpretation.

For those interested in expanding their AI skills relevant to government roles, training resources are available at Complete AI Training, offering courses tailored for public sector professionals.