Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, for what purposes the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence has used artificial intelligence in the last 12 months.

In November 2024, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) published a statement of intent for artificial intelligence (AI). It outlines the NICE’s approach to using AI to streamline its processes and increase efficiency and effectiveness. The NICE currently uses a natural language processing solution to facilitate the searching of its recommendations, and machine learning based text classifiers within its evidence management software. To assist with daily tasks, NICE staff have access to Microsoft’s Copilot, and the NICE communications team is trialling the Government Communications Service’s Assist tool. Further information on the NICE’s statement of intent for AI is available at the following link:

https://www.nice.org.uk/corporate/ecd12/chapter/purpose-of-this-document