DWP proposes AI chatbots to replace welfare advisers

AI pocalypse Britain’s welfare system is experimenting with AI to manage Universal Credit claimants – even as evidence mounts that artificial intelligence could soon push more people into benefits in the first place.

The Department for Work and Pensions is exploring chatbot-style digital assistants to support Universal Credit claimants. Secretary of State Sir Peter Schofield told MPs the technology could eventually become part of frontline social care.

Officials believe automated tools could help applicants navigate applications, training options and employment assistance while easing pressure on human job trainers who are overwhelmed by rising caseloads.

“We want to be able to focus our work more individually, so that people who may not need interaction with a work coach might, in due course, be able to interact with a digital tool that…