It is still waiting for her to use the technology at work, however.

Clark has never used generative artificial intelligence such as ChatGPT in her official capacity, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) has revealed.

The Times had requested Clark’s ChatGPT records after those of Peter Kyle, the technology secretary, were released.

DSIT said in response to the freedom of information request: “Feryal Clark has not used ChatGPT or other generative AI systems in her official capacity.”

Clark has become an evangelist for the use of AI in Whitehall and beyond, telling an Alan Turing Institute conference last month: “No longer weighed down by admin, businesses are infinitely more productive. People can focus on the parts of their jobs that impact the bottom line but also genuinely bring them joy. And with access to the world’s knowledge at ordinary people’s fingertips, life in the UK becomes more equal.”

She told MPs last year: “AI will be at the heart of DSIT as the new digital centre for government.” She said the department’s staff were using generative AI as part of a cross-Whitehall trial of the Microsoft Copilot product “to summarise policy papers and briefings, support initial document drafting, to extract insights from data, and retrieve information within the department or online”.

Of the AI revolution, she told Computer Weekly: “This is about how we as a government actually utilise the power of AI to make life easier for all our citizens.”

Alan Mak, the shadow science, innovation and technology secretary, said: “The minister for AI, who is telling civil servants to use AI, does not even use AI herself. You cannot make it up.”

Henry Shevlin, the associate director of the Leverhulme Centre for the Future of Intelligence at Cambridge University, said the disclosure “doesn’t exactly spark huge confidence” and that “those pushing for greater AI adoption in this space should be leading by example”.

He added: “There are lots of very good reasons for almost everyone to be using these tools, especially in a position that requires rapidly synthesising new knowledge across multiple domains.”

Lucille Thirlby, the assistant general secretary of the First Division Association, a union for senior civil servants, said: “It is very interesting that the minister responsible for digital government does not use AI products in her official capacity.”

She questioned whether Clark had avoided AI due to concerns over the quality of information it provided, or whether it was truly efficient and effective.

“Successive governments’ approaches to AI have been slow, lacking in investment and lacking in engagement with their staff,” Thirlby added. “They have not lived up to their own rhetoric on AI productivity gains and savings.

“While AI holds the potential to boost productivity, it needs to be accompanied by a proper workforce strategy and human oversight with the resources to train, recruit, and retain staff with the required digital skills.”

Kyle’s ChatGPT entries ranged from asking what podcasts to appear on to requesting help in understanding quantum computing and antimatter. Shevlin said: “I was actually somewhat reassured to see he was using it in the same ways as many early adopters.”

Neil Lawrence, a professor of machine learning at Cambridge, said: “It’s really reflective of what I found that businesses are facing right across the country and in education. You’re getting instincts to go one way or the other. ‘Oh, we have to be totally careful. We mustn’t use it.’ And then people are just using it without saying anything, which is potentially the most dangerous situation.

“I think [the government’s] own rhetoric around the technology hasn’t been helpful in guiding businesses and the civil service itself.”

DSIT was approached for comment.