An AI digital transformation programme trialled by Derby City Council has led to £7.5m in savings, according to the authority, as public bodies are urged to embrace automation.
Local governments and other public sector organisations are being heavily encouraged by central government to integrate AI in their operations to improve efficiency and cut costs.
The SMART AI Transformation Programme in Derby saw the council adopt a unified AI platform to manage services.
Derby’s AI system, delivered by ICS.AI, has been managing telephone and web queries, freeing up council staff to manage more complex tasks.
“The UK government’s Spending Review revealed significant investment in AI for the public sector for projects that could deliver real efficiencies,” said ICS.AI chief executive Martin Neale.
“This allows other councils to replicate what Derby has achieved without the risk and in a fraction of the time.
“This game-changer is available to local government, and we plan to offer it to Higher Education later this year, followed by the NHS.”
Recently released reports have warned that integrating AI in the public sector on the scale expected by Whitehall will be extremely difficult due to limited resources and the need for more skills.
The trial, however, suggests small scale implementation can, in the short-term, lead to measurable improvements.
“The AI transformation programme we engaged with ICS.AI has delivered results beyond our expectations with performance exceeding our targets, and the response from staff and citizens has been very positive,” said Paul Simpson, the chief executive of Derby County Council.
“We were aware of the risks of being the first in the UK to undertake such an extensive AI programme, and the ICS.AI guarantee will allow other councils to replicate our approach without the technical and commercial risks we faced.”
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