{
  "id": 18901069,
  "title": "‘AI clog’: UK public bodies battle onslaught of chatbot-generated complaints",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/08/ai-clog-uk-public-bodies-battle-onslaught-of-chatbot-generated-18901069",
  "topic": "ai",
  "section": "AI",
  "published": "2026-11-08T08:00:36.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Guardian Technology",
    "slug": "guardian-technology",
    "url": "https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/nov/08/ai-clog-public-bodies-local-authorities-onslaught-chatbot-generated-correspondence"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "UK public bodies are struggling to cope with an overwhelming influx of correspondence generated by artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots, causing significant strain on resources and hindering their ability to respond effectively. The surge in AI-generated complaints, requests, and legal challenges began in 2024 and has since intensified, with Hollie Wickens, a senior caseworker in a Labour MP's office, noting that half of the emails received are AI-generated. These chatbots, such as ChatGPT, Claude, Copilot, and Gemini, have made it easier for laypeople to access legal advice and assistance, transforming individuals into experts and enabling them to create lengthy and complex correspondence. While AI tools have the potential to boost productivity, public bodies, local authorities, courts, schools, and other organizations are reporting a deluge of AI-generated correspondence that is time-consuming and challenging to read and respond to. Researchers at the Hertie School in Berlin, the Cooperative AI Foundation, and GovAI have termed this phenomenon \"agentic flooding,\" highlighting that every sector is experiencing similar issues. Local authorities, in particular, are grappling with a surge in complaints related to adult social care services, missed bin collections, planning applications, and other matters. The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has observed that AI-generated requests often contain inaccuracies, are lengthy, repetitive, and lack focus, making it difficult to identify the specific information being sought. Despite the challenges posed by AI-generated correspondence, public bodies are obligated to respond to these queries, as even flawed AI-generated requests require a human response. Some business owners and former employees have expressed concerns that AI's tendency to be overly supportive and validating can lead to misplaced confidence in pursuing legal cases, sometimes resulting in costly and protracted legal battles.",
  "summary": "MPs, local authorities, lawyers, schools and more are receiving floods of grievances, requests and legal challenges, often complex to read and respond to “It started as a trickle in 2024 and now it’s an onslaught.” Hollie Wickens, a senior caseworker in a Labour MP’s office, is explaining the daily reality of dealing with surging volumes of artificial intelligence-generated correspondence. “Half…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}