The UK government has revealed how councils are leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance public services, aiming to contribute to its £45bn savings target under the Plan for Change. From social care to waste management, councils are adopting AI tools to streamline operations and improve service delivery. These initiatives focus on addressing local challenges and integrating technology into everyday council functions.
“AI has immense potential to make our lives easier and improve public service,” said AI and Digital Government Minister Feryal Clark. “The technology we are together sharing with the public today includes shining examples of innovation that does everything from speeding up crucial applications for bigger bins, to helping people live independently.”
One prominent application of AI can be seen in the London Borough of Sutton, where connected devices such as smart kettles and fridge sensors monitor the well-being of elderly residents. These devices identify changes in daily routines, such as missed meals or unusual inactivity, with alerts sent to carers or family members. The system, developed by Access Group and Medequip Connect, is aimed at supporting independent living and reducing demands on social care services.
In West Berkshire, councils have implemented AI to automate applications for larger household waste bins. The system reviews applications based on factors such as household size and the number of children in nappies. Applicants who are denied can request a manual review, ensuring that human input is available where needed.
Councils are also applying AI to other areas, including housing and financial planning. Camden Council is trialling the RentSense AI tool, which analyses tenant rent data to prioritise cases of arrears. Dorset Council uses algorithmic tools to estimate sustainable personal budgets for adults requiring care, helping to plan resources more efficiently.
Social Care Wales has introduced a chatbot to guide individuals seeking qualifications in the care and childcare sectors, simplifying access to relevant information.
The government has identified these initiatives as part of a broader push to integrate AI into public services. A team within DSIT is working to coordinate efforts across agencies such as the NHS, local councils, and the Department for Work and Pensions. Initial efforts are focused on improving services for people with long-term health conditions.
AI is additionally being applied to housing and environmental projects. The Greater London Authority’s London Building Stock Model uses predictive tools to fill gaps in housing data, which helps inform decisions to reduce energy bills and lower carbon emissions. Warwickshire County Council employs AI to estimate energy performance certificates for properties without existing ratings, supporting efforts to improve energy efficiency.
Other applications include tools to forecast budgets and assess risks. Ealing Council uses AI to predict annual social care expenditure, aiding more accurate budget allocation. Bristol City Council uses AI to assess the risk of young people falling out of education, employment, or training, enabling timely interventions.
Discontinuation of welfare AI projects
Despite the advancements made with AI by local councils, the UK government has reportedly discontinued six AI prototype projects intended to modernise its welfare system. Freedom of Information requests filed by The Guardian revealed that these pilots were designed to enhance Job Centre operations, improve staff training, upgrade communication systems, and streamline disability benefit processing. However, they were halted due to challenges in scalability, reliability, and testing.
Two of the cancelled projects, highlighted in the Department for Work and Pensions’ annual report as successful generative AI proofs of concept, included A-cubed and Aigent. A-cubed was designed to help Job Centre staff guide jobseekers, while Aigent aimed to improve the processing of disability benefits. Despite initial promise, neither will proceed to wider implementation.
Read more: UK government abandons AI welfare system pilots citing scalability issues
