UK’s ICO issues guidance on AI-generated FOI requests

The UK Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has published new guidance to help public authorities handle Freedom of Information (FOI) requests generated using AI, as public authorities report growing pressure from higher volumes and more complex requests.

According to the ICO, some AI-generated requests misquote or misinterpret FOI legislation, while others require significant clarification before they can be processed. The regulator says the guidance is intended to give FOI teams practical support so they can continue meeting their legal duties without adding new burdens.

The guidance addresses issues that practitioners say are increasingly common, including requests generated with AI that misstate the law, a rising number of submissions that need refinement, and the need to ensure requests are handled fairly and consistently regardless of how they were created.

It also includes example wording that public authorities can use to encourage more responsible use of AI by requesters and to support clearer and more effective FOI submissions. The ICO says the aim is to reduce delays, errors, and complaints linked to poorly framed or confusing requests.

Deborah Clark, the ICO’s Upstream Regulation Manager, clarified: ‘This guidance is about giving teams practical, sensible support, not adding new burdens. It does not change the law or create new requirements; instead, it helps teams apply existing FOI principles consistently, regardless of how a request is created. Used responsibly, AI also has the potential to help public authorities improve how they handle FOI requests, and this guidance sits alongside our wider work to support innovation that delivers real benefits for organisations and the public.’

The ICO says the guidance applies to all public authorities covered by the Freedom of Information Act and draws on existing casework, stakeholder engagement, practitioner feedback, and input from its AI specialists.

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