What changed
The ICO published guidance to support public authorities dealing with freedom of information requests that may have been generated using AI.
The guidance reflects practical concerns around increasing request volumes, unclear wording, requests that misquote legislation, and the need for public authorities to manage AI-assisted requests fairly and consistently.
What is an AI-generated FOI request?
In simple terms, an AI-generated FOI request is a freedom of information request that has been written, drafted or heavily assisted by an AI tool. The request may still be valid, but public authorities may need to clarify unclear wording, check the scope, and respond through their usual information rights process.
Why this matters
AI tools can make it easier for people to generate detailed information requests quickly. That may support access to information, but it can also create practical pressure for public authorities if requests are unclear, duplicated, very broad or based on incorrect legal references.
The guidance is mainly aimed at public authorities, but it also shows a wider trend: AI is beginning to affect day-to-day compliance workflows, not just high-level AI governance. Organisations that handle information rights requests should review whether their processes are clear, consistent and easy to follow. For wider updates across privacy, AI and data protection, see our Regulatory Updates page.
What organisations should do
Public authorities should use this guidance as a prompt to review how information rights requests are triaged, clarified and handled.
- Review internal FOI workflows and make sure staff know how to identify unclear or overly broad requests.
- Check when clarification should be requested and how that should be communicated to the requester.
- Ensure staff do not reject requests simply because AI may have been used to draft them.
- Review template responses so they remain clear, consistent and accessible.
- Monitor whether AI-generated requests are increasing workload or creating repeat process issues.
Practical takeaway
AI-generated FOI requests should be managed through clear information rights processes, not treated as a separate category to reject automatically. The practical task is to clarify unclear requests, manage scope, and keep response handling consistent.
Grounded in
ICO guidance published in May 2026 on handling AI-generated FOI requests, including practical issues around request clarity, volume, misquoted legislation and public authority response processes.
Sources
- Information Commissioner’s Office: new guidance to support public authorities dealing with AI-generated FOI requests , 6 May 2026.
- Information Commissioner’s Office: guidance for organisations on freedom of information .