AI TOOL
Covid scams are finally being caught, by AI
The UK government says a new AI tool has helped recover nearly £500m from fraud in the past year, the highest amount ever reclaimed in one year.
Around £186m came from Covid fraud, including fake Bounce Back Loans.
Other cases involved false council tax claims and illegal subletting.
The AI system checks data across departments and scans new policies for weak spots before fraudsters can exploit them.
The tool, called the Fraud Risk Assessment Accelerator, was built by the Cabinet Office.
It will now be licensed abroad, with the US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand expected to use it.
TL;DR
£480m recovered in one year, including £186m from Covid fraud.
Bounce Back Loans flagged as a major fraud source.
New AI tool to be licensed internationally, though bias concerns remain.
Fraud-proof or fool-proof?
Ministers say the savings will go towards funding nurses, teachers, and police.
But critics warn that AI use in government has raised concerns about fairness, with earlier fraud-detection tools showing bias.
Cool, so the government can spot fake companies but not potholes?