Note-taking by probation officers will be the next Ministry of Justice function to be assisted by artificial intelligence, the government has revealed. The lord chancellor said today that 1,000 officers are to be equipped with Justice Transcribe, an in-house AI tool which automatically records and transcribes conversations with offenders. 

The technology will transform the probation service, David Lammy said. 'We’re cutting the burdensome admin and ensuring frontline staff can spend more of their time doing the things only humans can do – monitoring offenders and protecting the British public.'

Taking notes

An in-house AI tool will automatically record and transcribe conversations with offenders

Source: iStock

Earlier, in his capacity as deputy prime minister, Lammy unveiled a government-wide deal with US pioneer OpenAI, developer of the ChatGPT family of systems. The deal tackles one of several outstanding obstacles to the use of personal data for training systems: for the first time OpenAI will offer services to organisations which require data to be stored in the UK.

'This will enable British businesses to host data on secure, sovereign servers not only enhances privacy and accountability but reinforces national resilience in the face of growing global cyber threats,' the announcement stated. 'This bold step is expected to unlock further investment from businesses by providing them with the confidence that their data is being managed securely in UK, allowing both government and companies to expand their use of AI and accelerate economic growth.'

Earlier this year courts minister Sarah Sackman announced her ambition for the MoJ to become the 'leading digital and AI department in government’. Under its action plan the ministry set up an AI unit charged with identifying possibilities for deploying the technology in areas such as generating transcriptions of tribunal proceedings as well as probation officers' notes. 

Earlier this week the government announced that a new AI Growth Lab will provide a safe space for regulators and businesses to test where current rules may be inhibiting  innovation and adoption. 

OpenAI's founder, Sam Altman, said: 'Civil servants are using ChatGPT to improve public services and established firms are reimagining operations. We’re proud to continue supporting the UK and the government’s AI plan.'