The UK government has issued formal guidance prohibiting civil servants from using generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools, such as ChatGPT and Google Bard, to write policy papers or other official documents. The guidance acknowledges that these tools have the capability to create seemingly authentic messages and summaries of government plans, but emphasizes that sensitive information should not be entered into publicly available AI platforms. The guidance also highlights the risk of bias and misinformation in AI-generated content and advises civil servants to exercise caution when using such tools. However, it encourages the exploration of generative AI for appropriate uses, such as gathering background information or summarizing publicly available content. The guidance also suggests specialized applications for software developers and data scientists. The document emphasizes the importance of understanding how generative AI works and the potential limitations and risks associated with its use.