AI was supposed to make the UK benefits system more efficient—instead it's brought bias and hunger

A freedom of information request has revealed that an AI system used by the UK government for assessing benefits cases is apparently getting it wrong by a "statistically significant" amount. The admission to journalists at the Guardian emerged after a fairness analysis into universal credit claimants in February 2024. It confirmed that the very tools intended to ensure equity and efficiency may in fact be discriminating against marginalized communities.