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AI tools like ChatGPT have caused a sharp increase in public complaints and FOI requests to UK authorities since late 2022. Official data shows a steep rise across multiple channels, impacting civil service workloads and raising questions about future government responses.
Since November 2022, the volume of complaints, FOI requests, and tribunal claims sent to British public bodies has surged sharply, driven by the widespread use of AI tools like ChatGPT. This increase affects key services such as water companies, local authorities, and health agencies, raising concerns over the capacity of the UK bureaucracy to handle the rising workload and the role of AI in public interactions.
Data analyzed by Sky News indicates that across almost every communication channel with the UK government, complaint and request volumes have experienced a marked acceleration since late 2022. For example, complaints to water companies have increased by 144%, and those to local authorities by 78%. Similarly, written complaints to GP practices rose by 71%, and claims to employment tribunals grew by 62%. These trends follow a decade of relatively stable request levels, with the sharpest growth beginning shortly after the launch of ChatGPT in November 2022.
Sky News also conducted a small test on recent FOI requests, finding that 89% of 100 requests analyzed were fully AI-written, although experts caution that AI detection tools are unreliable and this does not establish causation. Similar patterns have been observed internationally, with the UK Housing Ombudsman reporting an increase from 2,600 complaints in 2022 to over 7,000 in 2025, and the US Consumer Financial Protection Bureau noting a fivefold rise in complaints during the same period.
Public servants report feeling overwhelmed, with 58% indicating that AI-generated content from the public significantly affects their work. The UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has issued guidance confirming that AI-written FOI requests are valid, and authorities can request clarification if requests are unclear, but the rising volume remains a concern for operational capacity.
Public services · UK · October 2026
The AI Paperwork Flood Is Reaching Britain’s Bureaucracy
Complaints, information requests and tribunal claims have climbed across public services since late 2022. AI may make it faster to write to the state—but the scale of its role remains uncertain.
More volume across multiple channels
Sky News analysis found sharp increases in several types of contact with public bodies, after roughly a decade of comparatively stable levels.
Percentage increases reported in the source analysis. The supplied information does not specify a shared baseline period, so the values show reported change rather than comparable absolute volumes.
A striking pattern, with open questions
The timing points to a possible connection with generative AI. Correlation and a small request sample do not establish that AI caused the broader rise.
89% in a 100-request test
Sky News judged 89 of 100 recent requests it examined to be fully AI-written. This was a small test, not a measure of all requests.
Detection is unreliable
Experts caution that AI detection tools can be unreliable. The sample does not prove that AI caused the wider increase in public contact.
58% say it affects their work
Public servants report that AI-generated content from the public significantly affects their workload, adding pressure to already busy services.
From easier drafting to operational strain
AI lowers the effort needed to produce written requests. Each valid request still needs to be understood, routed and answered.
Drafting gets easier
Generative tools can help people produce polished complaints and requests quickly.
Contact can multiply
Lower effort may encourage more frequent or more numerous submissions.
Teams absorb the work
Staff must assess each case, seek clarification when needed and prepare responses.
Services face trade-offs
Growing queues can mean delays and pressure on time, staffing and capacity.
ICO guidance, May 2026: AI-written FOI requests are valid when they meet legal criteria. Authorities can ask for clarification when a request is unclear or badly formed.
Validity ≠ capacityA wider administrative shift
Similar increases have been reported elsewhere, suggesting that public agencies worldwide are adapting to a new scale of digital communication.
Housing complaints climb
The Housing Ombudsman reported a rise from 2,600 complaints in 2022 to more than 7,000 in 2025.
Fivefold increase reported
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau noted a fivefold rise in complaints over the same period.
Policy is still developing
Agencies may explore clearer procedures, automation, staffing and tools to manage volume while preserving access and accountability.
What public bodies still need to learn
The long-term response will depend on evidence about causes, case quality and the resources required to maintain timely public services.
How much of the rise is driven by AI?
The timing aligns with ChatGPT’s November 2022 launch, but awareness, policy changes and other factors may also contribute.
Are AI-written requests valid?
Yes, under ICO guidance, when they meet legal requirements. Authorities may seek clarification if a request is unclear.
What is the main pressure on services?
Higher volumes can increase processing demands, stretch staff capacity and contribute to delays for the public.
Could agencies change how they respond?
Possible adaptations include better processes, automation and investment in staff and tools; the policy response is still evolving.
Impact on UK Public Services and Bureaucracy
The surge in AI-generated requests and complaints threatens to strain the UK’s already complex bureaucratic system, potentially leading to delays and increased workload for civil servants. This trend also raises questions about how government agencies will adapt policies and resources to manage the rising volume of digital interactions. The phenomenon may accelerate changes in public service delivery, with possible implications for transparency, accountability, and the future of citizen-government communication.
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Rise of AI and Its Effect on Public Interaction Volumes
Since ChatGPT’s launch in November 2022, there has been a notable shift in the volume of written requests and complaints to UK authorities. While the number of FOI requests and complaints had remained relatively stable for over a decade, the introduction of AI tools appears to have triggered a sharp increase. Internationally, similar patterns are observed, with complaints to US agencies rising fivefold and reports of ‘agentic flooding’ in multiple jurisdictions. Experts suggest that AI has made it easier and cheaper for the public to generate large volumes of requests, many of which are justified but contribute to administrative overload.
Government agencies have acknowledged the trend, with the ICO issuing guidance in May 2026 that AI-written FOI requests are valid and can be clarified if necessary. Civil servants report feeling overwhelmed, describing interactions as akin to being bombarded at speed, with some comparing it to arguing with AI systems. The trend fits a broader pattern of digital transformation impacting public administration globally.
“The pattern is clear: a long flat line, then a slow rise from late 2022, then acceleration across almost every channel where citizens communicate with the state.”
— Sky News technology correspondent Rowland Manthorpe
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Unanswered Questions About Long-Term Impact
It remains unclear how much of the recent increase in requests and complaints is directly caused by AI versus other factors such as heightened public awareness or policy changes. The reliability of AI detection tools is limited, and causation has not been definitively established. Additionally, the long-term operational impact on public services and the potential for policy responses are still evolving, with government officials debating how to adapt to this new volume of digital interactions.
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Government Response and Policy Adjustments Pending
Authorities are expected to consider new policies to manage the rising volume, potentially including stricter request filtering, automation of response processes, or new regulations on AI-generated requests. Further research and monitoring will determine whether the trend stabilizes or accelerates. Civil service departments are also exploring technological and procedural adaptations to better handle the increased workload, with some calling for increased staffing and investment in AI management tools.
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Key Questions
The rise correlates with the launch of AI tools like ChatGPT in November 2022, which has made generating requests and complaints faster and cheaper, leading to a surge in digital interactions with government bodies.
Are all these AI-generated requests valid?
According to ICO guidance issued in May 2026, AI-written FOI requests are considered valid as long as they meet legal criteria. Authorities can request clarification if requests are unclear or badly formed.
What challenges do public services face due to this trend?
The main challenge is operational overload, with civil servants feeling overwhelmed by the volume of requests, many of which require significant clarification or processing, potentially causing delays and resource strain.
Could this trend lead to policy changes?
Yes, government agencies are likely to consider new policies to limit or better manage AI-generated requests, including filtering, automation, or regulatory measures, to prevent bureaucracy from becoming unmanageable.
Is this trend unique to Britain?
No, similar patterns are reported internationally, with US agencies experiencing a fivefold increase in complaints, indicating a global impact of AI on public administrative systems.
Source: Thorsten Meyer AI
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