Technology and Science secretary Peter Kyle uses ChatGPT for science and media advice
Technology Secretary Peter Kyle has used ChatGPT to ask which podcasts he should appear on and asked it to define words relevant to his brief.
The minister responsible for science, innovation and technology used the artificial intelligence (AI) service to advise him on media appearances, as well as to define ‘digital inclusion’.
New Scientist used freedom of information laws to obtain his ChatGPT records after Mr Kyle said he used the service to understand difficult concepts.
They discovered that he asked ChatGPT: ‘I’m Secretary of State for science, innovation and technology in the United Kingdom. What would be the best podcasts for me to appear on to reach a wide audience that’s appropriate for my ministerial responsibilities?’
The chatbot suggested The Infinite Monkey Cage and The Naked Scientists, based on their number of listeners.
He also asked ChatGPT to define various terms relevant to his department including anti-matter, quantum and digital inclusion.
He also asked why the adoption of artificial intelligence is so slow in the UK small and medium-sized business (SMBs) community.
The chatbot advised him: ‘While the UK government has launched initiatives to encourage AI adoption, many businesses are unaware of these programs or find them difficult to navigate.
Technology Secretary Peter Kyle has used ChatGPT to ask which podcasts he should appear on and asked it to define words relevant to his brief
Sir Keir Starmer has hailed the benefits of AI and has said that the UK government should be making far more use of it to increase efficiency (file image)
‘Limited access to funding or incentives to de-risk AI investment can also deter adoption.’
It also said, concerning regulatory and ethical concerns: ‘Compliance with data protection laws, such as GDPR [a data privacy law], can be a significant hurdle. SMBs may worry about legal and ethical issues associated with using AI.’
Mr Kyle has been accused of cosying up to Big Tech at the expense of Britain’s creative industries.
Newspapers, artists and publishers have warned Mr Kyle against a proposal to let tech companies use copyrighted works to train their AI software without permission unless the owner opts out.
New Scientist requested Mr Kyle’s data after he said he ‘often’ used ChatGPT to ‘try and understand the broader context where an innovation came from, the people who developed it, the organisations behind them’.
Sir Keir Starmer has hailed the benefits of AI and has said that the UK government should be making far more use of it to increase efficiency.
‘No person’s substantive time should be spent on a task where digital or AI can do it better, quicker and to the same high quality and standard,’ he said this week.
A spokesman for his Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) said: ‘As the Cabinet Minister responsible for AI, the Secretary of State does make use of this technology. This does not substitute comprehensive advice he routinely receives from officials.
‘The Government is using AI as a labour-saving tool - supported by clear guidance on how to quickly and safely make use of the technology.
