Downing Street said Prime Minister Andy Burnham writes ‘most of his own speeches’, after an aide was photographed using ChatGPT to seek feedback on a draft address to the Welsh Labour conference. Reform UK chairman Lee Anderson said ‘AI Andy’s man-of-the-people act has been exposed as a sham’.
The photograph, taken on a train from London Euston to Holyhead, appeared to show the aide drinking Prosecco while seeking feedback from the chatbot on a draft of the speech. According to the Mail, the chatbot wrote: ‘I prefer the second (passage). It moves from the miners to their families to the wider community, showing how the experience of industrial work created bonds well beyond the workplace.’
A No 10 spokesperson said: ‘The PM writes most of his own speeches. An aide sought feedback on a speech draft that had already been written.’ It is understood the ChatGPT suggestions were not ultimately used.
Mr Burnham delivered the speech on Saturday, using it to speak about the importance of 'industry' in giving people a 'deep sense of belonging'. Criticising the legacy of Margaret Thatcher, he said the country 'took some wrong turns in the 1980s that shattered the way of life for communities up and down Britain'.
Anderson joked it must be ‘thirsty work’ writing the Prime Minister’s speeches.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The incident undercuts the Prime Minister's carefully curated image of being in touch with working-class sentiments, which the Welsh Labour speech was specifically crafted to address.
- It raises questions about the use of generative AI within government, particularly for the sensitive task of crafting political messaging.
- The row gives the political opposition a powerful line of attack, focusing on authenticity and judgement ahead of upcoming electoral contests.
Background
Andy Burnham is the British Prime Minister. The image was published by the Mail on Sunday ahead of his address to the Welsh Labour conference, a speech in which he heavily criticised the legacy of Margaret Thatcher and promoted the importance of industry and community bonds.
Key Perspectives
No 10: The Prime Minister writes most of his own speeches; the aide was merely seeking feedback on a draft that had already been written, and the AI suggestions were not used.
Lee Anderson (Reform UK): The Prime Minister's authenticity is a 'sham', and the incident reveals he is 'AI Andy', reliant on technology rather than genuine connection, exposed as out of touch while drinking Prosecco.
What to Watch
- Whether the government will face further questions in Parliament about the use of AI by ministerial staff or elected officials.
- Whether this gaffe, or the ensuing political response, affects public perception of the Prime Minister's authenticity.
- If internal guidance on the use of AI for government work will be revised as a result of the row.
Checked
10 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 10 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedDowning Street said Andy Burnham writes most of his own speeches.STV News: “Andy Burnham writes “most of his own speeches”, Downing Street has said”
- SupportedAn aide was photographed using ChatGPT to seek feedback on a draft address to the Welsh Labour conference.STV News: “One of the Prime Minister’s team was photographed seeking feedback from the AI agent on a draft of his address to the Welsh Labour conference on Saturday”
- SupportedA No 10 spokesperson said, “The PM writes most of his own speeches. An aide sought feedback on a speech draft that had already been written.”STV News: “A No 10 spokesperson said: “The PM writes most of his own speeches. An aide sought feedback on a speech draft that had already been written.””
- SupportedAccording to the Mail, the chatbot wrote that it preferred the second passage and explained why.STV News: “According to the Mail, the chatbot had written: “I prefer the second (passage). It moves from the miners to their families to the wider community, showing how the experience of industrial work created bonds well beyond the workplace.””
- SupportedIt is understood the ChatGPT suggestions were not ultimately used.STV News: “It is understood that the ChatGPT suggestions were not ultimately used.”
- SupportedThe photograph appeared to show the aide drinking Prosecco while working on the speech on a train from London Euston to Holyhead.STV News: “The picture, published by the Mail on Sunday, appears to show the aide drinking Prosecco while working on the speech on an afternoon train from London Euston to Holyhead.”
- SupportedBurnham delivered the speech on Saturday and spoke about industry giving people a deep sense of belonging.STV News: “Burnham used his speech on Saturday to speak about the importance of “industry” in giving people a “deep sense of belonging””
- SupportedBurnham said the country took wrong turns in the 1980s that shattered communities’ way of life across Britain.STV News: “Criticising Margaret Thatcher’s legacy, he said the country “took some wrong turns in the 1980s that shattered the way of life for communities up and down Britain”.”
- SupportedReform UK chairman Lee Anderson said, “AI Andy’s man-of-the-people act has been exposed as a sham.”STV News: ““AI Andy’s man-of-the-people act has been exposed as a sham,” he said.”
- SupportedAnderson joked that it must be “thirsty work” writing the Prime Minister’s speeches.STV News: “Reform UK chairman Lee Anderson joked that it must be “thirsty work” writing the Prime Minister’s speeches.”