The Scottish Government has trialled an artificial intelligence (AI) tool to analyse public feedback on injectable procedures.
The AI tool, named ‘Consult’, has been piloted to analyse public responses concerning the regulation of non-surgical cosmetic treatments, including botulinum toxin and dermal fillers.
The trial invited public views on the need for further regulation of non-surgical cosmetic procedures, the licensing of non-healthcare practitioners performing higher-risk treatments and the regulation of independent pharmacy services offering such procedures outside NHS contracts.
During the public consultation, Consult analysed over 2,000 responses, with key themes reviewed and validated by government analysts for accuracy.
The insights gathered will inform the forthcoming Non-Surgical Cosmetic Procedures Bill, intended to establish stricter safety standards and licensing requirements for aesthetic treatments in Scotland. The Scottish Government plans to publish the full consultation response by the end of June 2025.
