Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the potential for artificial intelligence to support national efforts to reduce loneliness; and what steps they are taking, if any, to develop or pilot artificial intelligence enabled interventions as part of their loneliness strategy.

Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

Whilst there are currently no plans to use artificial intelligence in our efforts to reduce loneliness, the Government recognises the importance of using innovative approaches to address this issue.

The Government welcomes research and evidence on how artificial intelligence may be harnessed to safely support positive social connections. The government-funded Tackling Loneliness Hub recently published this blog on health innovation and the role of AI in strengthening social connection, and hosts a range of events for members to learn about novel approaches to addressing loneliness.

Our ambition to strengthen positive social connections and tackle loneliness is a key part of achieving wider government objectives to create a healthier society and more connected communities across all demographics. My department has been working hard to ensure social connection and loneliness are embedded across government policy making, including the recently published Pride in Place strategy, Men’s Health Strategy and National Youth Strategy.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to allow accredited artificial intelligence assistants to perform simple administrative tasks in the NHS.

Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

Artificial intelligence (AI) technologies are already supporting healthcare staff with routine administrative tasks and clinical decision making. AI-powered tools, such as ambient voice technologies, help ease the administrative burden faced by staff and make systems more efficient.

One study has found that ambient voice technologies can generate time savings of up to 30 minutes per person per day when staff are supported by AI for basic administrative tasks.

AI tools that assist with other common administrative tasks have also been developed and trialled, such as tools that can automatically generate patient discharge summaries, forecast demand for accident and emergency services, and support with staff rostering based on availability and skillsets. The former two of these examples are two of the Prime Minister’s AI Exemplars, as announced in August this year.

The Department and NHS England are working to test, support, and regulate promising new technologies that can augment, not replace, our National Health Service and care staff. In April, NHS England published guidance on the use of AI-enabled ambient scribing products in health and care settings.