In a first-of-its-kind move, the Scottish Government has successfully deployed an AI tool to analyze public consultation responses, offering a faster and more cost-effective alternative to traditional methods.

The tool named Consult was used to process over 2,000 submissions related to the regulation of non-surgical cosmetic procedures such as lip fillers and laser hair removal. It accurately identified key themes across six open-ended questions, delivering results closely aligned with human analysis.

Part of a broader AI suite called Humphrey, Consult is designed to cut back on administrative workload, which would reduce the government’s reliance on costly external contractors. The new system is set to be rolled out across multiple departments, with the potential to save around £20 million annually by eliminating up to 75,000 days of manual analysis across 500 consultations.

Officials involved in the pilot described the AI tool as a “useful starting point” that helped them “get to the analysis and draw out what’s needed next” far more efficiently. They also noted that it reduces subjective bias in how feedback is categorized.

Although AI will increasingly handle large-scale consultations, human oversight will remain integral. Civil servants will continue to review themes and results via an interactive dashboard, ensuring transparency and accountability in decision-making.

The initiative is part of a wider digital transformation push under the UK government’s Plan for Change, which aims to unlock £45 billion in productivity savings and build a more agile, responsive public sector.