How AI will affect UK local government in the next 10 years

Artificial intelligence (AI) is one of the most transformative technologies of our time. It has the potential to improve public services, enhance efficiency, and foster innovation. But it also poses significant challenges and risks, such as ethical, legal, and social implications.

The UK government has recognised the importance of AI and has committed to developing a pro-innovation national position on governing and regulating AI. The government aims to create an environment for AI to flourish while ensuring that it is used in a safe, ethical, and trustworthy manner.

But what does this mean for local government? How can local authorities leverage the benefits of AI, while addressing the challenges and risks? Here are some possible scenarios for how AI will affect UK local government in the next 10 years:

• AI will enable local authorities to deliver more personalised and responsive services to their citizens. For example, AI could help local authorities identify vulnerable people who need support, tailor interventions based on their needs and preferences, and monitor their outcomes. AI could also help local authorities to improve customer service, such as by using chatbots or voice assistants to answer queries, provide information, or process transactions.
• AI will help local authorities to improve efficiency and reduce costs. For example, AI could help local authorities to automate repetitive or mundane tasks, such as data entry, document processing, or reporting. AI could also help local authorities to optimise resource allocation, such as by using predictive analytics to forecast demand, prevent waste, or improve scheduling. AI could also help local authorities to detect and prevent fraud, corruption, or errors.
• AI will foster innovation and collaboration among local authorities. For example, AI could help local authorities to share data and insights across different departments or regions, enabling them to learn from each other and improve best practices. AI could also help local authorities to engage with external stakeholders, such as citizens, businesses, or academia, and co-create solutions for common challenges. AI could also help local authorities to experiment with new ideas and test their impact before scaling them up.

However, these scenarios are not inevitable or without trade-offs. Local authorities will face several challenges and risks when adopting and using AI, such as:

• AI will require local authorities to develop new skills and capabilities. For example, local authorities will need to have the technical expertise to design, develop, deploy, and maintain AI systems. They will also need to have the organisational capacity to manage change, ensure governance, and monitor performance. They will also need to have the cultural readiness to embrace innovation, collaboration, and diversity.
• AI will raise ethical, legal, and social issues for local authorities. For example, local authorities will need to ensure that their use of AI is fair, transparent, accountable, and respectful of human rights. They will also need to comply with relevant laws and regulations regarding data protection, privacy, security, or liability. They will also need to consider the impact of their use of AI on public trust, social cohesion, or human dignity.
• AI will create new challenges and opportunities for local government leadership. For example, local government leaders will need to have a clear vision and strategy for how they want to use AI to achieve their goals and priorities. They will also need to have a strong leadership style that can inspire and empower their staff and stakeholders. They will also need to have a flexible and adaptive mindset that can cope with uncertainty and complexity.

In conclusion, AI will have a profound impact on UK local government in the next 10 years. It will offer many benefits for improving public services, efficiency, and innovation, but it will also pose many challenges and risks for developing skills ensuring ethics, and providing leadership. Local authorities will need to be proactive and prepared to harness the potential of AI, while mitigating the pitfalls.