Response 3627499

Response to request for information

Reference

3627499

Response date

27 January 2025

Request

1. Does the council have an official AI strategy or roadmap?
   1. If yes, please provide a copy or summary.
   2. If no, are there plans to develop one?
2. Has the council allocated a specific budget for AI initiatives in the last three financial years?
   1. If 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?
   1. If 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.
5. Is the council currently using or piloting any AI tools or solutions?
   1. If yes, what are the primary use cases (e.g., chatbots, fraud detection, process automation)?
   2. Please list any vendors or solutions used.
6. Has the council completed or planned any feasibility studies or pilot projects related to AI?
   1. If yes, please provide a summary of findings or expected outcomes.
7. How does the council ensure ethical considerations in the use of AI, such as avoiding bias in algorithms or ensuring transparency?
   1. Are there governance frameworks in place to address these issues?
8. Has the council undertaken any risk assessments for the implementation of AI technologies?
   1. If 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?
10. 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?
    1. If yes, how many, and in what roles?
12. 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?
    1. If yes, please provide details.
14. Is there a long-term budget allocation plan for AI adoption or expansion?
15. 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?
17. 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?

Response

1. Does the council have an official AI strategy or roadmap?
   1. It's planned as part of the next 5 years' strategy however this hasn’t been signed off yet but is due for release Summer 25
2. Has the council allocated a specific budget for AI initiatives in the last three financial years?
   1. The budget has been requested  for 26/27  no amount has been signed as yet 
3. Are there specific teams, departments, or individuals responsible for overseeing AI strategy or implementation within the council?
   1. ICT   - ICT Strategic Manager  ictinfo@rushcliffe.gov.uk
4. Has the council engaged with external consultants or organisations to develop or implement AI projects? If so, please provide details.
   1. No
5. Is the council currently using or piloting any AI tools or solutions?
   1. ICT are trailing Copilot
   2. If yes, what are the primary use cases (e.g., chatbots, fraud detection, process automation)? Documentation and
      1. reports
   3. Please list any vendors or solutions used.
      1. Microsoft
6. Has the council completed or planned any feasibility studies or pilot projects related to AI?
   1. No
7. How does the council ensure ethical considerations in the use of AI, such as avoiding bias in algorithms or ensuring transparency?
   1. Forms part of the strategy for that will be available summer 2025
   2. Are there governance frameworks in place to address these issues?
      1. Not applicable
8. Has the council undertaken any risk assessments for the implementation of AI technologies?
   1. Not applicable
9. How does the council comply with data protection regulations (e.g., GDPR) when implementing AI projects?
   1. Not applicable
10. What proportion of the council’s staff has received AI-related training or upskilling in the past three years?
    1. Not applicable
11. Does the council employ data scientists, AI specialists, or other technical staff dedicated to AI initiatives?
    1. None
12. What technological infrastructure is currently in place to support AI initiatives
    1. Plan Infrastructure refresh 2025/26
13. Has the council faced challenges in implementing AI due to resource or infrastructure limitations?
    1. Not applicable
14. Is there a long-term budget allocation plan for AI adoption or expansion?
    1. Not at current
15. Has the council conducted any public consultations or outreach efforts regarding the use of AI in council operations?
    1. Not applicable
16. Are there mechanisms for residents to understand or influence how AI is being used by the council?
    1. Not applicable
17. 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?
    1. ICT   - ICT Strategic Manager  ictinfo@rushcliffe.gov.uk Andrew Disney