Using AI to help make FOI requests

The best FOI requests are clear, concise and focussed on the information you want. A short, focussed request will help ensure that the public authority understands what you’re looking for - and can quickly find it.

Requests suggested by AI can sometimes ask for information in a complicated way, use unclear language, or be unnecessarily long.

Remember, if you don’t fully understand the request, there’s a very good chance that the person receiving it won’t either! A complex request also increases the likelihood of your request being delayed or refused on cost grounds.

Make sure your request is focussed on the information that you want. AI can sometimes suggest that a request is unnecessarily expanded, e.g. by seeking additional information beyond what you are looking for.

Keep your request clearly focussed on the information you want. If AI has expanded your request, remember that you can always cut it down. You can also ask AI to simplify it, to focus on the information you need.

Doing so will reduce the impact on the public body, while also reducing the chance of a cost refusal.

It will usually be a good idea to ask AI to make suggestions to your own draft request, rather than ask it to create a new request for you. This will help ensure that your interests remain at the heart of the request.

Remember that AI can sometimes ‘make up’ (or ‘hallucinate’) information. This might include referring to non-existent guidance or case law about FOI.

Before you refer to this sort of information in correspondence with a public body take time to check it – make sure that any references it includes are reliable and accurate.

You should note that the Commissioner will take a dim view of unchecked, machine-generated appeals to his office. Under FOI law, the Commissioner can refuse to investigate appeals if he finds that an appeal is either ‘frivolous’ or ‘vexatious’. This may include appeals which don’t have a serious purpose or value, or are designed to disrupt an organisation. Appeals which appear to be largely machine-generated or contain AI hallucinations are more likely to fall into this category.

If in doubt, you can contact the Commissioner’s office for advice and guidance.

FOI gives people a right to ask for a review if they’re dissatisfied with a public body’s FOI response.

If you’re asking a public body to conduct a review, you should again focus on why you are unhappy with the response.

An AI tool might suggest various reasons why you might be unhappy, but this may not reflect your own views. Think about why you are dissatisfied with the response - and make this the focus of your review.

This will enable the public authority to focus on - and try and resolve - the specific reason for your dissatisfaction.

Also, don’t use AI to assess a public body's FOI response without your direct involvement - it can't do that effectively. You might, however, use it carry out research in support of any points you want to make - but remember to always check that any sources referenced are accurate.

The efficiency of AI tools means they can help people to make more requests, in shorter periods of time. Be aware, however, that submitting lots of requests in a short period of time will have a disruptive impact on public bodies, and will reduce their ability to respond promptly.

Making multiple requests in a short period may also increase the likelihood of a public body considering that a request is ‘vexatious’. Public bodies are entitled to refuse ‘vexatious’ requests under FOI law.

A ‘vexatious’ request may be one which places a significant burden on an organisation, or which appears to have been made to disrupt an organisation’s work or harass its staff.

Read more about the FOI Act’s ‘vexatious’ provision here.

Information on the equivalent provision covering ‘manifestly unreasonable’ requests for environmental information is also available here.

Public bodies have a duty under FOI to advise and assist people. This includes helping you make a request for their information.

Public bodies can provide you with advice on how to word your request to help you obtain the information you need, making it a really good place to start.

Contact details for public bodies should be available on their website. You can also search our A-Z guide, which has contact details for lots of the organisations covered by FOI law.

Requests generated using AI will often lack a ‘human touch’ and have little insight into human thoughts and feelings. As a result, AI requests can sometimes appear abrupt and demanding - or even rude. 

Remember public bodies have a duty to help you.  Positive and constructive communications with staff can help FOI run more smoothly for everyone. Take time to read through your request and think about how it will be received. Ensure that you’re happy with the tone and approach before you send the request.