It was hailed as an AI assistant that can go to meetings for you – and soon it could be used to help MPs carry out their mounting workload.
Parliament’s digital services department (PDS) is undertaking a cost-benefit analysis of Microsoft’s CoPilot Artificial Intelligence (AI) tool, which can draft your emails and take notes during calls – even if you’re not there.
That’s just a few of its ChatGPT-like features, including creating PowerPoint presentations and writing Word documents almost from scratch.
Labour MP Nick Smith, a member of the House of Commons Commission, has revealed that PDS is “actively exploring” its potential alongside other AI tools, to aid MPs and their staff manage day-to-day administrative activities and “carry out their constituency duties”.
It is not entirely clear what this could entail.
‘Two and a half days to sifle through emails’
But for Labour MP Chi Onwurah, a former shadow science minister with a background in tech, it’s all about improving productivity – not slacking off.
She told Sky News that it currently takes a member of her staff “two and half days of the week” to filter out increasing levels of hate mail, spam and lobby invitations from her inbox – when “she should be doing more exciting and interesting work”.
“It’s not a good use of her time, AI could be used for that,” she said.
The Newcastle MP spoke to Sky News just after deleting what she described as a “horrible email” – not an uncommon occurrence for members across the house who have reported rising levels of abuse.
Microsoft’s Copilot AI. Pic: Microsoft
Copilot will be baked into all of Microsoft’s Office apps. Pic: Microsoft
Ms Onwurah is concerned about constituency emails “getting lost” at a time when demand for support is increasing – particularly in areas like housing and benefits.
But she stressed AI should only be used to help for administrative purposes, amid concern the technology could make people lazy.
She gave the example of the historic assisted dying vote on Friday, saying she “spent a lot of time” writing her statement on the issue – but AI could have helped monitor emails she received about it.
“AI could help to do the administration stuff which doesn’t require me to share my thinking… giving me more time to speak in debates and to constituents,” she said.
“It is important parliament shows we are up to the challenge, just as we are asking businesses and constituents to improve their productivity.”
Chi Onwurah. PIc: PA
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‘Redbox tool’ for Hansard explored
This comes against the backdrop of a wider global debate about AI, which can perform lifesaving tasks like detecting diseases but also comes with the risk of job losses and misinformation.
Mr Smith revealed that PDS is undertaking a cost-benefit analysis of Microsoft’s CoPilot in answer to a written question from Ms Onwurah, saying government departments are already trialling it.
An AI Working Group has also been convened with representatives from the Commons and Lords to identify other opportunities for its use, while a Digital Innovation Lab has been established to test the use of AI within a parliamentary context, he added.
One idea already being developed is a “Redbox tool” that can summarise documents and briefings on Hansard, which transcribes parliamentary debates.
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Will AI save us….or destroy us?
AI could also be used to help MPs manage emails and appointments as well as aid their “work and responsibilities”, a House of Commons source said.
Discussions are ongoing with other countries using the technology in this way.
UK ‘speaking to other parliaments’ using AI
Many parliaments across the world are already using AI to aid with their own operations.
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The Inter-parliamentary union cites over 40 examples, including Bahrain utilising AI to track and analyse members’ attendance in the chamber, and Chile making use of an AI argument assistant to make arguments for and against legislation.
In Italy and Brazil, it is being used to help draft and analyse legal texts, while other countries have chatbots to help users with queries about proceedings.
A parliamentary spokesperson told Sky News: “As part of our focus on ensuring that parliament can make the most of new ways of working and emerging technologies, while also making sure we manage and address potential risks, we are actively exploring where AI may be appropriately applied.
“We have introduced a robust AI policy framework to guide the responsible and safe use of AI within parliament, with guidance and learning resources being prepared on the safe use of AI in relation to parliamentary duties for members and their staff. The House Administration will work with members to assess whether AI is viable for the opportunities that are identified.”
