Government employees will soon gain access to a suite of tools driven by artificial intelligence (AI), named after a cunning parliamentary figure from the classic sitcom Yes, Minister. The government claims that these assistants, referred to as Humphrey, will "accelerate the work of civil servants" and reduce expenses by eliminating the need for external consultants. However, the choice to name the AI after Sir Humphrey Appleby, a character known for his "devious and controlling" traits, has prompted some concern. Tim Flagg, the chief operating officer of trade organization UKAI, expressed that the name could "undermine" the government's goal to adopt technology. Later on Tuesday, science and technology secretary Peter Kyle will unveil additional digital tools, including two applications for storing government documents, such as digital driving licenses. This initiative is part of the government's broader digital service reform, following the recently announced AI Opportunities Action Plan. "Humphrey, to me, evokes a strong association with the Machiavellian character from Yes, Minister, " said Mr.

Flagg from UKAI, which represents the AI industry. "This association may lead those outside the central Whitehall office to believe this initiative isn't empowering and won’t be beneficial. " Most applications in the Humphrey suite utilize generative AI technology, which processes large volumes of information and presents it in a more accessible format for civil servants. Among the tools is Consult, designed to summarize public feedback on requests for information, which is currently managed by costly external consultants that charge taxpayers "around £100, 000 each time. " Another tool, Parlex, is designed to assist policymakers in navigating prior parliamentary debates on specific topics, as reported by The Times; it is tailored to predict MPs' reactions, aiming to prevent significant political disputes. The government also announced enhancements in data sharing efficiency between departments. "I believe the government is on the right path, " Mr. Flagg remarked. "They have competent developers, and I am confident they will create an excellent product. "