The Welsh government has come under scrutiny for utilizing Microsoft’s Copilot in a review process that resulted in the closure of Industry Wales, a state-owned organization. This revelation was made by the chairman of Industry Wales, Professor Keith Ridgway, during a recent session of the Senedd committee.
Background on Industry Wales
Established in 2013, Industry Wales was designed to facilitate sector forums in aerospace, automotive, and technology, with a fourth forum focused on net zero businesses added in 2022. In January 2025, officials announced that the organization would undergo a review, which concluded with a decision to close it by March 31, 2026. This decision was publicly communicated in October 2025, alongside a grant of £837,000 provided to the organization for the fiscal year 2025-26.
Concerns Over AI Utilization
During the committee meeting on March 4, Ridgway expressed alarm upon discovering that the review was based on 28 interviews processed by Microsoft Copilot. He stated, “I don’t think you can rely on artificial intelligence to do that. It’s just wrong.” Ridgway highlighted that while some evidence in the review supported a reduction in Industry Wales’s scope, it also included suggestions for a Wales-specific organization, which he felt were not adequately represented in the final conclusions.
Government’s Position on Copilot
The Welsh government confirmed that its staff had indeed used Copilot during the review, but insisted that the AI tool was limited to generating transcripts of interviews and categorizing comments into themes. The government clarified that the detailed analysis and preparation of the review were conducted by its officials.
Political Reactions and Future Implications
Tom Gifford, a member of the Senedd committee, described the government’s reliance on AI for such a significant decision as “bonkers.” The closure of Industry Wales will also impact its associated tech forum, Technology Connected, which is set to cease operations on the same date. Additionally, the Welsh Automotive Forum will also close after over two decades of service. These developments raise questions about the implications of AI in governmental decision-making processes and the future of industry support in Wales.
This article was produced by NeonPulse.today using human and AI-assisted editorial processes, based on publicly available information. Content may be edited for clarity and style.
