The effects of AI are making themselves known across every sector, and Freedom of Information is no exception. 

AI has lowered the bar to making contact, in every place where citizens interact with public authorities, from making pothole reports to submitting FOI requests. 

On the face of it, this is a good thing for individuals — after all, mySociety was founded on the principle that digital processes should make it easier for people to interact with government — but this sudden and disruptive uptick in communication has created an increased burden for those authorities*.

At FOI Fest, Scottish FOI Commissioner David Hamilton told us that they’re experiencing unprecedented levels of requests, due to a number of factors, but certainly in part because people are using AI — and as he explained, these requests bring their own specific types of challenges.

Now the UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office, the ICO, has addressed this new reality by including advice around using AI in their wider guidelines for making an effective request (which also, we’re glad to see, point people towards WhatDoTheyKnow).

What’s the problem?

Generative AI tends to add more complex and unnecessary wording, can provide inaccurate information and will sometimes ‘hallucinate’ (provide inaccurate information). All of these factors mean that authorities are having to spend more time corresponding with request-makers to pin down what they meant to ask for.

While it need not be, FOI can already sometimes be a long process, and this only adds to the time taken (when an authority needs to ask for clarification, it restarts the clock on the 20 working days within which they are required to provide a response).

Plus, if you end up needing to make a complaint about the way your request has been handled, the ICO notes that complex and inaccurate requests make it much harder for them to help you.

What you need to know

The commissioners’ offices are not saying that AI should never be used to write an FOI request or appeal; simply that if you do so, you should proceed with due caution. They suggest:

• Checking that AI hasn’t changed the scope of what you have asked for, and that you are asking for precisely — and only — the information you require.
• Ensuring that your request is clear, concise and focused. 
• Checking the facts: don’t assume AI “knows” which law applies or which authority is the suitable recipient for your request.
• Ensuring the tone is appropriate. 

In many ways, this is the same advice we’d apply for request-makers who are using their own brains, as well. Either way, it’s always worth getting it right, and making things as easy for yourself, and our public authorities, as possible.

 *Although, NB that the jury is still out on whether AI is the direct cause of this: see, for example, this story from Australia.

—

Image [amended to include ‘Make an FOI request’ button]: Zulfugar Karimov