Ceredigion County Council has warned residents using artificial intelligence (AI) to help write complaints that the technology can produce false information and even cite laws which do not apply in Wales.

The authority has added a new section on generative AI to its complaints policy after reporting a rise in complaints produced with the assistance of the technology.

Council documents say AI-generated complaints can be “misleading or incorrect”, particularly when making claims about the authority’s legal obligations, with examples of laws applying in England, or further afield, being cited despite different legislation applying in Wales.

The revised policy states that the council is aware “many complainants” are submitting information assisted, partially or wholly, by generative AI.

It adds that, while residents are entitled to use AI when preparing correspondence, generated content can contain “false or unsupported claims”.

The council is therefore advising people to verify AI-generated material before submitting it to avoid incorrect information or misinterpretations.

The warning forms part of a wider overhaul of Ceredigion County Council’s complaints, Freedom of Information (FOI) and Environmental Information Regulations policies.

A report presented to Cabinet on 6 October said the existing documents were overdue for revision and had been updated to reflect current legislation, organisational structures and working practices.

The changes also include extending the period allowed for acknowledging FOI requests from two working days to five. The council said requests would still generally be acknowledged promptly, but the change would give officers more time to co-ordinate responses when large numbers of requests are received about the same high-profile issue.

No formal public consultation was undertaken on the revised policies, although the council said its Complaints and FOI Team engages directly with complainants and people requesting information. Cabinet was asked to approve the revised documents at the meeting on Tuesday.