Artificial intelligence is often discussed as though it is only a problem for Freedom of Information. That concern is understandable. AI can be used badly.
It can produce long, unfocused, repetitive or speculative requests. It can encourage requesters to ask for explanations, opinions or arguments rather than recorded information. It can make a complaint look like an FoI request. It can increase burden on already stretched public authorities.
But that is not the whole story. Used properly, AI can also help solve the problem. It can:
- help a requester narrow a request
- remove unnecessary background
- strip out argument and speculation
- focus the wording on recorded information only
- ask whether the information is already publicly available before a request is sent.
In other words, AI can be used not to multiply FOI requests, but to discipline them.
Read more about the use of AI and to access a simple AI FoIA request template.
NOTE: I am not an FOI lawyer or information-rights expert, and this is not legal advice. I write from practical experience as a requester, including lessons learned from requests that could have been framed more clearly. My aim is to encourage clearer, narrower and more responsible FOI requests.