"I Rise to Speak" Phrase Used 635 Times in Commons Amid Surge in AI-Crafted Speeches

A recent surge in the use of AI-generated content within the UK's House of Commons, particularly in parliamentary speeches, has sparked debate among politicians and observers. The phenomenon was highlighted by a tweet from Rohan Paul, who stated, > "AI is quietly taking over the national governments 😀 The rise of AI-crafted speeches in the House of Commons." This development raises questions about authenticity and the evolving nature of political communication.

Analysis of Hansard, the official parliamentary record, by the political blog Pimlico Journal reveals a significant increase in phrases commonly associated with large language models like ChatGPT. For instance, the opening phrase "I rise to speak" has been recorded 635 times so far in 2025, a substantial increase from 231 uses in the entirety of the previous year. Other AI-suggested words such as "underscores" and "streamline," along with linguistic techniques like the "rule of three," have also seen a notable rise.

This trend has drawn sharp criticism from some Members of Parliament. Tom Tugendhat, the Conservative former security minister, publicly condemned the practice, remarking that the House of Commons has become "absurd" due to the prevalence of AI-generated content. He specifically called out the use of "I rise to speak" as an "Americanism that we do not use," suggesting it indicates a reliance on AI tools. Tugendhat further posted on X, "If you can’t make an argument without the whips giving you the question or ChatGPT turning a handout into a speech, who are you representing? Clearly not the electorate."

Conversely, some MPs view AI tools as a means to enhance efficiency. Labour MP Mike Reader has openly stated his use of AI to respond to constituent emails, arguing it helps manage hundreds of messages weekly and allows MPs to "maximise the time available to focus on the complex work of delivering real change." This highlights a growing divergence in how parliamentary figures perceive and integrate artificial intelligence into their duties.

The broader implications of AI on parliamentary proceedings and intellectual property have also become a subject of intense discussion within the Commons. Debates have touched upon the need for transparency regarding AI's training data, the protection of creators' rights, and the ethical considerations of using AI in public discourse. As AI technology continues to advance, the UK Parliament faces the challenge of balancing innovation with the preservation of human authenticity and accountability in its legislative processes.