Bolton council has revealed ‘work is already underway’ on using artificial intelligence (AI) technology for some of its functions and services. Town hall leader Nick Peel told councillors the authority was ‘moving towards’ a pilot scheme on the introduction of Generative AI, a technology which he said ‘creates high quality content using deep learning models’, in some of its departments.
He said that any future use of artificial intelligence systems by the authority should be based on improvements to services for the people of Bolton and not for purely financial reasons. Council Peel was responding to a question from Liberal Democrat councillor Neil Maher.
He said: “Dramatic changes and opportunities will arise from the use of AI in many office based functions including local government. “These could provide financial savings and efficiencies in an ever increasingly difficult financial situation for councils.
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“Can the leader indicate what investigations and development work is being undertaken by the council into the use of AI?” Coun Peel, said: “This is the first question we’ve had in this chamber on artificial intelligence but I do predict there will be a lot more. It will become part of our lives.
“It’s a rapidly moving aspect of technology. Work is already underway within the council to start to explore how best to take advantage of the potential it may generate for delivery of services.”
Coun Peel added that Generative AI will have a wide range of applicability across services to ‘speed up delivery, help customer focus and increase efficiency’. He said it could allow staff to dedicate a higher proportion of their time to more complicated aspects of their work.
Coun Peel said that recent events such as the Covid epidemic had led to an acceleration of tech innovation including AI. He added that any use of AI should be service driven.
He said “I’ve always taken a view that transformation and improvements to services can be achieved through the use of innovative tech. “However, it should never be finance driven – as we’ve seen this can lead to hastily thought out and ill-conceived use of tech that leaves customers behind.
“It should always be service driven and in this way the digital revolution can truly be harnessed to improve people’s lives.”
