A response to a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request reveals that ministers have abandoned several artificial intelligence (AI) prototypes aimed at improving the welfare system. Among the pilots cancelled by the the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)were programmes designed to support staff training, enhance jobcentre services, expedite disability benefits, and modernise communication systems. Officials acknowledge that difficulties remain in ensuring AI systems are "scalable, reliable, and thoroughly tested," highlighting numerous "frustrations and false starts" throughout the development process. Despite this, officials claim that the time spent on these pilot programmes may yet inform future implementations.
In a related article, The Guardian reports serious concerns are being raised about an AI system designed to read the 25,000 letters and emails received every day by the government department. The system, which has been in operation since 2023, aims to proritise the claims of individuals in the most need. However, internal documents obtained through a FOIA request reveal that the DWP's data protection impact assessment (DPIA) stated that letter writers "do not need to know" about the involvement of the AI system. This is despite the system handling personal information such as national insurance numbers, dates of birth, addresses, telephone numbers, email addresses, details of benefit claims, health information, bank account details, racial and sexual characteristics, and information about children.
The DPIA also says that consulting individuals about this way of processing their data is "not necessary as … these solutions will increase the efficiency of the processing."
Advocates have raised concerns about the lack of transparency and consent regarding the processing of such sensitive information.

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