Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, for what purposes the Human Tissue Authority has used artificial intelligence in the last 12 months.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is at the heart of the Government’s plan to kickstart an era of economic growth, transform how we deliver public services, and boost living standards for working people across the country.

The Human Tissue Authority (HTA) has used AI in the form of Microsoft Co-pilot and the Government Communication Service Assist tool. These tools are used to assist the authority to be more responsive and targeted in their regulatory activity, by highlighting opportunities of efficiency and lever changes in performance and practice. This includes the Government Communication Service Assist tool supporting communications professionals in HTA in a number of areas including: the production of first draft communications products; stakeholder management; research; and media handling.

The HTA can draw on a range of resources, published on the GOV.UK website, to inform AI usage. The HTA also has access to the Government Digital Service, part of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, for expert advice.