Artificial Intelligence (AI) Readiness
Received: 27 January 2025
I am writing to request information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 regarding your council's preparedness and current initiatives relating to artificial intelligence (AI).Specifically, I would like to understand the following:AI Strategy1.Does the council have an official AI strategy or roadmap?aIf yes, please provide a copy or summary.bIf no, are there plans to develop one?2.Has the council allocated a specific budget for AI initiatives in the last three financial years?aIf so, please provide details of the budget allocation and expenditure.3.Are there specific teams, departments, or individuals responsible for overseeing AI strategy or implementation within the council?aIf yes, could you provide their name, role, and contact information (email address and phone number)?4.Has the council engaged with external consultants or organisations to develop or implement AI projects? If so, please provide details.AI Projects and Use Cases5.Is the council currently using or piloting any AI tools or solutions?aIf yes, what are the primary use cases (e.g., chatbots, fraud detection, process automation)?bPlease list any vendors or solutions used.6.Has the council completed or planned any feasibility studies or pilot projects related to AI?aIf yes, please provide a summary of findings or expected outcomes.Governance and Ethical Considerations7.How does the council ensure ethical considerations in the use of AI, such as avoiding bias in algorithms or ensuring transparency?aAre there governance frameworks in place to address these issues?8.Has the council undertaken any risk assessments for the implementation of AI technologies?aIf yes, please provide details or copies of any assessments.9.How does the council comply with data protection regulations (e.g., GDPR) when implementing AI projects?Talent and Skills10.What proportion of the council's staff has received AI-related training or upskilling in the past three years?11.Does the council employ data scientists, AI specialists, or other technical staff dedicated to AI initiatives?aIf yes, how many, and in what roles?Infrastructure and Budget12.What technological infrastructure is currently in place to support AI initiatives (e.g., data storage, computing resources, cloud platforms)?13.Has the council faced challenges in implementing AI due to resource or infrastructure limitations?aIf yes, please provide details.14.Is there a long-term budget allocation plan for AI adoption or expansion?Public Engagement15.Has the council conducted any public consultations or outreach efforts regarding the use of AI in council operations?16.Are there mechanisms for residents to understand or influence how AI is being used by the council?Contact Information17.Could you provide the name, role, and contact details (email address and phone number) of the person(s) responsible for IT or AI adoption within the council?
Outcome / Documents
- Response (all information to be supplied) - application/pdf - Download