Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for the NHS of the use of (a) generative AI and (b) large language models; and whether pilot schemes are underway to assess potential uses.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

New artificial intelligence (AI) technologies are being developed that have the potential to improve healthcare delivery and to provide significant cost savings to the National Health Service. One example is the use of automated voice to text tools, which use generative AI to listen to and transcribe patient notes.

Currently, there are ongoing assessments of the use of these tools in the NHS as these technologies could help ease the administrative burden faced by staff and make systems more efficient. Several NHS trusts are running trials, including a multi-site assessment of the impact of using automated transcription software. The NHS AI team is monitoring these developments and developing guidance for the responsible use of these tools. This guidance will be informed by the Government’s broader guidance on the use of Generative AI in the public sector.

There are strict safeguards in place throughout the NHS to protect data. All providers of services which handle patient data must protect that data in line with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), and Data Protection Act 2018, and every health organisation is required to appoint a Caldicott Guardian to advise on the protection of people’s health and care data, and ensure it is used properly. This includes where AI is used in relation to patient records.

To mitigate the likelihood and severity of any potential harm to individuals arising from use of data in AI, the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has developed detailed AI guidance which provides an overarching view of data protection, including Data Protection Impact Assessments and UK GDPR. It has also produced an AI toolkit to support organisations auditing compliance of their AI-based technologies. NHS bodies are expected to make use of this guidance and toolkit.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, which (a) generative AI or (b) large language models are in use in the public sector; and whether these models were (i) developed internally and (ii) are commercially available.

Answered by Feryal Clark - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

There are a number of Generative AI and LLM models used across HMG. The Government publishes information on the use of these in the public sector through the Algorithmic Transparency Recording Standard, available on GOV.UK. These records show that departments use a mixture of in-house and commercial solutions, including tools built on foundational models. Use cases range from operational support to decision-making aids, and are subject to appropriate oversight and assurance processes

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment his Department has made of the potential use of (a) AI and (b) large language models in the public sector; and whether there are any pilots currently underway.

Answered by Feryal Clark - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

The Cabinet Office on behalf of government has assessed the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) and large language models (LLMs) across the Civil Service, aiming to identify areas offering the highest value and impact. A number of pilot projects are underway across multiple departments. Pilots are currently underway for a range of tools investigating the potential impact on productivity and employee satisfaction, trials will be published once analysis has been completed.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what guidance his Department has issued to public sector organisations on storing data generated by (a) AI and (b) large language models.

Answered by Feryal Clark - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

The Government Digital Service in DSIT has issued an AI playbook (available on gov.uk) which gives departments advice on governing their use of AI, including large language models (LLMs). The ‘Data Protection and Privacy’ section in the AI playbook sets out data protection principles relevant to the use of AI, including ‘storage limitation’.

The use of AI and Large Language Models for government business engages the department’s record’s management responsibilities and will be managed in accordance with the Code of Practice on the management of records issued under section 46 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000. Whether such information is retained and the period for which it is retained will vary depending on the technology used.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether National Cyber Security Centre guidelines are used to assess the potential impact of AI on the public sector.

Answered by Feryal Clark - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) guidance is a key resource used by the Government when assessing the potential impact of AI on government and the broader public sector. The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and the Cabinet Office incorporate NCSC guidance and actively engage with their subject matter experts when developing policy and guidance, including the AI Playbook.

Found: Membership of the public bill committee The chairs were Dawn Butler, Dame Siobhain McDonagh, Dr Andrew Murrison

Found: In a debate in the House of Commons in January 2025, Dr Andrew Murrison MP also raised questions over