A journalist has tested the UK government's new artificial intelligence jobseeker chatbot by creating a curriculum vitae for his pet cat, discovering that the bot deemed the feline employable. The tool, announced by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, is described as a 'Jobcentre in your pocket' designed to help people find work and address inequality. Developed by the Department for Work and Pensions, the AI assistant is being trialled for three months and can draft CVs, offer application advice, and provide career development guidance.
To test the system, the journalist input his cat Ethel's skills, which included napping, stretching, and waking up her owner. Despite these seemingly unemployable traits, the bot responded positively, suggesting that sleeping could indicate an interest in sleep research, wellbeing, or healthcare, and that sunbathing showed suitability for outdoor work. When asked about disclosing cat allergies to employers, the bot advised that no one is obligated to share information unrelated to the role.
The AI assistant also generated a full CV for Ethel, listing her as a 'Domestic and Outdoor Operative' who transitioned to hybrid working. Her responsibilities included 'routine self-care', 'pest control', and 'conflict resolution and stakeholder management with difficult colleagues'. The CV highlighted skills such as stealth, territorial awareness, independence, and adaptability. The bot recommended remote work, hyperlocal roles, or self-employment as a freelance pest controller, and cautioned against including a photograph to avoid revealing her species.
The assistant identified 8,643 pest control and wildlife conservation jobs that it considered cat-friendly. When the journalist expressed worries about employability, the bot offered encouragement, advising networking with local cats and reminding him that the job market was not designed with cats in mind. The exchange ended with the bot suggesting a 'Meow!' reply, which the journalist used.
A Department for Work and Pensions spokesperson commented: 'We're confident our AI Work Assistant will prove invaluable to the millions of people across the country looking for work – though we suspect Ethel may face some additional hurdles in her job search. Jokes aside, this tool has been built to give real job-seekers the support they need, whenever they need it.' Downing Street declined to comment.
