Artificial Intelligence in Local Government: Enabling Artificial Intelligence for Good Governance in UK Local Authorities

Abstract

Local governments face increased challenges providing services to their communities, especially in light of austerity, shifting central government policies that impact local responsibilities, changing demographics, and diverse resident needs. UK local authorities are exploring the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to fully or partially automate tasks or support their frontline workers to deliver services more efficiently and effectively. While there have been a number of successful projects related to back-office automation, predictive analytics for decision support, or the use of chatbots for interactions with residents, little is known about the practical challenges that local authorities face in making these projects realities. This briefing note synthesizes academic, grey, and journalistic literature to identify the key practical challenges that local authorities face when collaborating with industry or striking out on their own. Analysis based on this synthesis of the literature led to a set of findings indicating that local authorities are faced with three key challenges and three key enablers. In terms of challenges, local authorities need to both get their data in order and clearly define problems before seeking information technology (IT) solutions. The third challenge is when suppliers lack contextual knowledge about the local authority, its processes, its residents, and the way it carries out its services, which may require local authorities to take products that are not fit for purpose and modify them to align with their work. In terms of the three enablers, local authorities benefit from in-house capacity, opportunities for collaboration, and project transparency. The findings suggest that some foundational governance arrangements need to be in place both locally and nationally before AI technologies can realise benefits for good governance. More specifically, this briefing note proposes that the following measures are necessary for the implementation of artificial intelligence for good governance in the UK: ▪ Minimum mandatory data standards and dedicated resources for the maintenance of data quality. ▪ Minimum mandatory guidance for problem definition and project progress monitoring. ▪ Minimum mandatory supplier standards and flexible procurement to avoid lock-in and align projects with local context. ▪ Dedicated resources to ensure that local authorities can be intelligent consumers and capable developers of AI. ▪ A formal mechanism for collaboration across all local authorities and with the third sector (e.g., universities and non-profit organisations). ▪ A platform to compile all relevant information about information technology projects in local authorities.