Wednesday, 2 April 2025
30.2 C
Singapore
35.1 C
Thailand
25.6 C
Indonesia
28.2 C
Philippines

UK unveils digital wallet and AI chatbot to revolutionise public services

The UK announces a digital wallet for IDs and an OpenAI-powered chatbot to enhance public services, aiming for secure and efficient solutions.

The UK government has announced a major step towards modernising public services by introducing a secure digital wallet and a chatbot powered by OpenAI. The wallet, set to launch later this year, will allow you to store and manage government-issued credentials, starting with a digital driving licence and a virtual veteran card. Meanwhile, the chatbot, called โ€œChat-UK,โ€ will enhance interactions with the GOV.UK portal, which is expected to go live by 2025.

What to expect from the new digital wallet

The GOV.UK Wallet is designed to simplify access to important documents by storing them securely on your smartphone. Imagine the convenience of having your driving licence and other key credentials ready to use without carrying a physical wallet.

The wallet uses advanced security features, such as facial recognition, to ensure your data remains safe even if your device is lost. Age verification for online services, which has been challenging in the past, is one area the digital driving licence aims to improve.

During a press conference in London, Peter Kyle, the UK Secretary of State for Technology, emphasised the walletโ€™s potential to make public services more accessible and efficient. “This isnโ€™t about forcing anyone to use digital services,โ€ Kyle said. โ€œItโ€™s about creating something so compelling and desirable that people will want to use it.โ€

The role of AI in transforming services

The digital wallet is part of a broader initiative to integrate artificial intelligence into government operations. The government is working closely with OpenAI to develop a range of AI tools, including โ€œHumphrey,โ€ a multi-functional assistant for government employees. These tools aim to improve efficiency and enable better data sharing across departments.

Chat-UK, the new chatbot, is already undergoing public testing. While some glitches have occurred โ€” such as the bot switching to French mid-conversation โ€” Kyle remains optimistic. โ€œThese are early learnings,โ€ he said, adding that no serious issues like false information or โ€œjailbreakingโ€ have been reported during testing.

A step forward amid global AI debates

The UKโ€™s push for digital and AI services comes as the global conversation about AI safety intensifies. Governments worldwide, including the UK, are grappling with concerns over data privacy, misinformation, and the potential misuse of AI.

Despite these challenges, the UK government is committed to fostering an AI-driven economy. This effort involves investments in data centres, supercomputers, and partnerships with private tech companies. At the same time, the need for rigorous testing to ensure new technologies serve the public effectively and responsibly is recognised.

The UK isnโ€™t the first country to adopt digital identity solutions. France has been offering a digital ID app since 2022, providing a benchmark for the UK to follow. The focus, however, remains on creating a service tailored to the needs of UK citizens, with a strong emphasis on security and ease of use.

As the GOV.UK Wallet and Chat-UK are moving closer to full launch; the government is inviting public feedback to refine these tools. This marks a significant milestone in the UKโ€™s journey towards a more connected and efficient digital future.

Hot this week

Perplexity CEO dismisses financial concerns, confirms no IPO before 2028

Perplexity CEO Aravind Srinivas denies financial troubles, confirms the company has no plans for an IPO before 2028, and explains product changes.

These robot vacuums are getting smarter with Apple Home support

Appleโ€™s iOS 18.4 update adds Matter support for robot vacuums, enabling control via Apple Home. Roborock, iRobot, and Ecovacs are updating their devices.

Google Assistant to be phased out on Waze for iPhone

Waze is removing Google Assistant from iPhones due to issues and plans to upgrade with improved voice integration, possibly using Gemini.

Fujifilm unveils GFX100RF: A 102MP medium format compact camera

Fujifilm announces the GFX100RF, a 102MP medium-format compact camera. It is available for pre-order at S$7,999, and early buyers will receive free gifts.

Mobvistaโ€™s XMP and AdsPolar recognised as Meta AdTech Business Partners

Mobvistaโ€™s XMP and AdsPolar gain Meta AdTech Partner status, giving users early access to tools, insights, and expert campaign support.

Zelle is removing its stand-alone app

Zelle is shutting down its stand-alone app, but you can still use the service through your bankโ€™s app. Hereโ€™s what you need to know.

Apple may launch an AI-powered Health app with a coaching feature next year

Apple may introduce an AI-powered Health app with coaching, food tracking, and fitness guidance in 2026, possibly as a new subscription service.

These robot vacuums are getting smarter with Apple Home support

Appleโ€™s iOS 18.4 update adds Matter support for robot vacuums, enabling control via Apple Home. Roborock, iRobot, and Ecovacs are updating their devices.

Gmail introduces easier encryption for business emails

Google introduces a new encryption model for Gmail, making it easier for businesses to send secure emails without special software or certificates.

Related Articles