Renfrewshire Council to consider using AI to cut costs and improve service after pilot success

Renfrewshire Council will consider how artificial intelligence (AI) can cut costs and improve service delivery after the “success” of its digital adviser, Millie.

The local authority will embark upon an AI transformation assessment, including commissioning an AI partner, so it can gain a “clearer understanding” of how the technology can make the organisation more efficient.

This process aims to support the development of a business case that will outline “the scale of opportunity” and priorities for building on Millie, which launched in November and has attracted mixed feedback.

The state of play was set out in a report on the council’s transformation and change programme, which also confirmed a “working relationship” with Derby City Council to share best practice with the leadership board on Wednesday.

It said: “Based on Millie’s success so far and the learning established from the AI innovation being progressed by Derby City Council (and other authorities across the UK), it is planned to progress an AI transformation assessment across the council over the coming months, which will involve, as a first step, commissioning an AI partner via an appropriate procurement route.

“Through a series of stakeholder engagement, workshops, data analysis, financial validation solution demonstrations and trials, this AI transformation assessment will give the council a clearer understanding of how AI solutions can enhance efficiency, reduce costs and improve service delivery.

“This critical initial assessment stage will support the development of a full business case that is intended to be brought back to a future board for detailed consideration later in the year.

“The business case will provide a clear understanding of the scale of opportunity and the key priorities for building on the success of Millie and progressing the council’s sector-leading development of AI capability.”

Councillor Graeme Clark, a Labour representative for Paisley Northeast and Ralston, said at the meeting: “I’m glad that this council has committed to using AI as part of its services, as part of the transformation assessment.

“Do we have an estimate of the savings that AI may bring to the council through that commitment?”

Council chief executive Alan Russell responded: “That business case process will help us understand your question.

“I would be slightly uncomfortable committing to even an indication of that at the moment.

“It’s a rapidly developing area, and I think the opportunities will continue to grow.

“The report does note that we are working closely with Derby City Council down south, who are a bit further ahead in the journey than us.

“I think that’s very helpful. They’ve been very accommodating and open to working with us in partnership.

“They’re maybe about a year or so ahead of us in that journey, they do have AI transformation as a key part of their transformation programme, which is looking to deliver several million pounds of efficiency savings, and they’re well down the road on that.

“But no two organisations are the same, and we need to understand how it will work for Renfrewshire and, in terms of our circumstances, how we deliver services here.

“I’ve got no doubt it does provide the potential to deliver a step change in how we use that technology and how it supports the workforce to do all of our jobs better and support delivery of better outcomes.”