A trial of an AI scribe in children's neurodiversity services in Wales has shown significant time savings and service improvements.
The six-week trial was run in Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board, working with teams delivering paediatric neurodevelopmental services. It was supported by the Centre for Digital Public Services (CDPS), which is leading work on responsible AI adoption across Wales.
The pilot focused on the use of AI scribe tools to support clinicians during assessments, automating elements of note-taking and report drafting while staff conducted face-to-face conversations with children and families. Clinicians remained fully responsible for decisions and outputs, with AI used only as an assistive technology.
According to CDPS, the trial demonstrated clear operational benefits, with clinicians reporting spending less time on administrative tasks and more time engaging directly with families, improving both the quality of interaction and professional satisfaction. AI-assisted reports were found to be accurate, relevant and easier to complete, helping to address backlogs in a service area under sustained pressure.
The trial reported significant time savings across a range of tasks and settings, including:
Feedback from families was positive - parents and carers said the AI-supported reports reflected their children’s experiences well and valued the increased attention from clinicians during appointments. CDPS said this challenged assumptions that AI adoption risks depersonalising sensitive public services.
The trial also highlighted the importance of clear boundaries and governance. AI tools were used transparently, with staff trained on limitations and ethical use. No automated decisions were made, and clinicians retained full control over all outputs. CDPS said this “human-in-the-loop” approach was critical to building trust among both staff and service users.
The findings are expected to inform wider AI adoption across Welsh public services, including health, local government and customer contact services. CDPS said further pilots are planned, alongside work on guidance, procurement and assurance, as Wales looks to scale AI use in line with its ethical and bilingual public service principles. Find out more about the trial in this CDPS blog.