Local government is under pressure like never before.

Nearly half of UK councils are at risk of bankruptcy, and the Local Government Association forecasts an £8 billion funding gap by 2028. With rising citizen expectations and shrinking resources, traditional efficiency drives are no longer enough.

To survive - and thrive - councils must move beyond small-scale fixes and embrace transformation. Artificial Intelligence (AI) represents one of the most powerful tools to make that happen.

 

AI: More Than Just a Productivity Tool

AI is often viewed through a narrow lens - automating tasks, transcribing meetings, or powering chatbots. These tools deliver quick wins but miss the technology’s deeper potential.

As explored in this our whitepaper, in partnership with GovNews and IBM, “Beyond Productivity Tools: Unlocking the Strategic Value of AI in Local Government,” councils that think strategically can use AI to:

  • Enhance citizen experience with personalised, 24/7 services
  • Reduce administrative burden and free staff for value-added work
  • Unlock data insights to make faster, smarter decisions
  • Futureproof services and strengthen resilience
  • AI is not about replacing people - it’s about enabling them to do more of what matters.
  • Real Examples of AI in Action

 

Across the public sector, AI is already delivering measurable impact:

London Borough of Redbridge launched “BinBot,” an AI assistant that handles routine waste-collection queries 24/7. Within weeks, call volumes dropped by 25% and residents received faster responses.

East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust introduced “Enquire,” a virtual HR assistant supporting 6,500 staff. It cut administrative workloads and improved staff satisfaction.

These examples demonstrate how AI can help councils become more responsive, proactive, and sustainable, turning today’s resource pressures into tomorrow’s opportunities.

 

Trust, Governance and Transparency

For local government, responsible AI is essential.

In a recent GovNews survey, 46% of council leaders cited data governance and security as the biggest barrier to adoption.

This whitepaper calls for governance to be reframed as the steering wheel, not the brake. With the right frameworks - clear accountability, transparent decision-making, and robust data quality - councils can build public trust while accelerating innovation.

When residents see tangible benefits from AI-enhanced services, confidence follows naturally.

 

A Practical Roadmap for Council Leaders

This whitepaper sets out a clear, five-step roadmap to help councils get started:

  • Secure organisational buy-in - AI isn’t just an IT project.
  • Assess data readiness and establish solid foundations.
  • Start small with achievable, low-risk pilots.
  • Adopt a test-and-learn mindset to scale what works.
  • Build digital skills to empower staff and sustain progress.

This agile approach ensures that councils can experiment safely, measure impact early, and grow confidence across teams.

 

From Idea to Impact

To support this journey, we have partnered with IBM to launch the Agentic AI Managed Service, built on the IBM watsonx platform. It enables councils to deploy AI securely, automate workflows, and realise value quickly - without heavy technical overheads.

The message is clear: councils can’t afford not to transform. Those that move beyond tactical AI tools and embrace a strategic approach will unlock lasting value for their people, communities, and budgets.

Discover how forward-thinking councils are reimagining services with secure, scalable, and responsible AI.

Download the Whitepaper