UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – The Civil Service urges applicants to use ChatGPT for CVs and job applications but warns against false claims or sharing sensitive information.
As reported by The Telegraph, civil servants are being urged to use ChatGPT to draft their CVs and job applications.
What did Civil Service guidance say about using AI in applications?
Guidance from the Civil Service recommends candidates use artificial intelligence to enhance the clarity and quality of their written applications.
It advises candidates not to use AI to misrepresent their experience or inflate their credentials in applications.
According to the guidance, AI tools can help applicants summarize experience, highlight leadership roles, and draft examples of previous achievements.
The Civil Service careers website states AI can also “check your answers are concise and recommend improvements that maintain their meaning.”
The guidance warns against fabricating information, stating that internal applicants may face disciplinary measures.
It said applicants should not use ChatGPT to “create generic responses”, “complete assessments that evaluate personality” or “provide an AI tool with sensitive information about your organisation.”
The new rules apply to those seeking the Government’s chief technology officer role, which is currently open. This £100,000 position will manage significant public sector technology projects, support departments in building a digital backbone, and enhance collaboration between intelligence agencies.
The guidance allows candidates to use AI for written answers, but prohibits the use of live chatbots during interviews.
It states,
“The goal of using AI in your job application is to help you show us who you are and what you are good at. It’s not about creating a persona that isn’t you.”
The Civil Service has already adopted AI technologies, from automation bots to large-language models that draft text and emails, following ministerial introduction.
Serving staff are warned,
“You should never input information that is classified, sensitive or reveals the intent of government (that may not be in the public domain) into any of these tools.”
Some government departments initially banned AI chatbots, yet ministers have since lifted the restrictions to improve efficiency and cut public sector costs.
What do surveys reveal about job seekers using AI tools?
A recent survey shows more than 50% of candidates use AI when applying for jobs, mostly to create CVs and job submissions.
According to a careers website Adzuma poll, 59% of job applicants in the UK and the US have used ChatGPT or other AI tools, while 19% use AI for every application.
What did Nigel Newton say about AI and creativity?
The head of book publisher Bloomsbury, Nigel Newton, said authors will increasingly turn to AI to tackle writer’s block.
He stated,
“I think AI will probably help creativity, because it will enable the 8 billion people on the planet to get started on some creative area where they might have hesitated to take the first step.”
Mr Newton said, “AI gets them going and writes the first paragraph, or first chapter, and gets them back in the zone. And it can do similar things with painting and music composition and with almost all of the creative arts.”
He added,
“We are programmed deep in our DNA to be comforted by the authority and the reliability of big brand names, and that applies more than ever to the names of big writers. There will be some shoddy content out there, so people will turn increasingly to sources of authority for reassurance.”
What did Wes Streeting say about using AI in the NHS?
Health Secretary Wes Streeting said,
“We are bringing our analogue NHS into the digital age. Our Plan for Change will rebuild our NHS, put patients in control of their own healthcare and arm staff with the latest groundbreaking technology, ending the needless bureaucracy faced by patients up and down the country.”
He added,
“We’ve already set out plans to transform the NHS App so patients can choose providers and book appointments, and we’re harnessing artificial intelligence to deliver faster and smarter care across the country. By embracing technological advancements, we can both make substantial savings for the taxpayer and build a health service fit for the 21st Century.”
How is the UK government using AI?
The UK government is using AI to improve public services, support decision-making, and boost adoption across the economy.
AI assists by automating responses, summarizing meetings, aiding social care, and creating easy-read documents. It informs policy through forecasting parliamentary reactions, analyzing consultations, and modeling energy costs for benefits.
The government also promotes AI adoption via Growth Zones, regulatory sandboxes, and publishing an AI Playbook.
Which AI tools can help build a resume and a cover letter?
- Rezi – Resume & cover letter builder
- Teal – Resume builder & job search tool
- InterviewPal – Cover letter generator
- Grammarly – AI writing assistant
- Canva – AI resume builder
