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Two initiatives previously highlighted as successful generative AI concepts in the DWP’s annual report were among the projects that have been discontinued.
UK welfare AI prototypes have been scrapped due to implementation hurdles. (Photo: Shutterstock)
The UK government has reportedly discontinued six artificial intelligence (AI) prototype projects intended to modernise its welfare system, it has emerged. Freedom of Information (FoI) requests filed by The Guardian revealed that these pilots, aimed at improving services at Job Centre, staff training, communication systems, and disability benefit processing, faced challenges in scalability, reliability, and testing.
Among the abandoned initiatives were two projects highlighted in the Department for Work and Pensions’ (DWP) annual report as successful generative AI proofs of concept. One, named A-cubed, was developed to assist Job Centre staff in guiding jobseekers toward employment. Another, called Aigent, was intended to streamline the processing of personal independence payments for individuals with disabilities. Despite these efforts, both projects have been shelved and will not proceed to broader implementation.
While the DWP acknowledges that not all pilot projects are expected to progress, internal communications highlighted ongoing issues with ensuring AI systems are scalable and thoroughly tested. Officials have described these challenges as a source of “frustrations and false starts.” Despite the department’s promotion of AI advancements, none of its ongoing projects have yet been disclosed in the government’s Algorithm Transparency Register.
AI development efforts and government collaborations
Laura Gilbert, director of the Whitehall AI incubator (i.AI), said in December 2024 that while some AI initiatives face significant setbacks, lessons learned during the development process contribute to future innovation. Gilbert noted that 57 AI projects have been tested under i.AI’s programme, with 11 progressing to various stages of scaling and testing. She added that the UK government has collaborated with several US-based AI companies, including Anthropic, OpenAI, Google, and Microsoft, to drive innovation in public sector applications.
Despite challenges, the UK government is moving forward with its AI ambitions. The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) recently unveiled a new initiative, “Humphrey,” a suite of AI tools designed to enhance the efficiency of civil service operations. The programme, led by Technology Secretary Peter Kyle, aims to modernise processes, reduce operational costs, and streamline government services.
Separately, the DWP is facing scrutiny over its AI-powered welfare fraud detection system, as per a report in The Guardian last month. Documents obtained in late 2024 revealed gaps in fairness assessments, raising concerns about the potential for discrimination. Critics have noted that no analysis has been conducted to examine biases related to protected characteristics such as race, gender, or religion. The DWP maintains that human caseworkers retain decision-making authority over welfare payments but continues to face questions about the system’s role in influencing outcomes.
Read more: UK’s AI system for welfare fraud detection faces criticism over bias and transparency
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