Global watch: the ICO publishes guidance on AI-generated FOI requests

The UK Information Commissioner's Office published guidance on 6 May 2026 to help public authorities handle Freedom of Information requests involving or generated by AI systems, addressing the rising volume of AI-generated requests and how existing FOI principles apply to them.

The ICO's frameworks routinely surface in Kenyan, Nigerian and South African regulatory guidance within a few quarters of publication. This guidance is likely to inform local obligations for African public authorities and their AI vendors on a similar timeline.