
Artificial intelligence has the potential to transform UK councils. It has a myriad of applications, from enhancing community engagement to streamlining the allocation of resources.
In this article, we’ll look at six ways council leaders can implement AI. These use cases can reduce costs, increase efficiency and improve the outcomes and satisfaction of community members.
AI-driven analytics for community feedback
AI analytics tools process content on social media and other feedback platforms to determine community needs, preferences and sentiments, both positive and negative.
These tools typically use natural language processing (NLP) to identify trends and insights that might not be available through manual analysis alone.
Council leaders can use AI-driven analytics to make decisions that are more closely aligned to the genuine needs of the community, which in turn is likely to lead to increased engagement and responsiveness.
Automated customer service bots
Automated service bots, available through a multitude of channels like live chat, phone and SMS, significantly free up human resources.
These bots can handle a wide range of tasks, from basic questions like the opening times of council services to more complex enquiries. These can be handed on to humans where necessary.
The scope to scale customer service bots is essentially unlimited. Innovations in machine learning also mean that the capabilities of automated bots are continuously improving
Enhanced data security with AI
Data security and consent are among the most pressing ethical issues in regard to AI.
Used in the right way it can help provide higher levels of privacy and control. For example, advanced algorithms find patterns to preemptively mitigate risks. Ongoing monitoring also ensures compliance with the very latest data privacy regulations.
Perhaps counterintuitively, AI represents a means of building trust with users around the safeguarding of their data.
Smart resource management
Through predictive analytics and real-time troubleshooting, AI can improve resource allocation across a wide range of applications.
One key example is public transportation. UK-based Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) is using AI to process substantial quantities of traffic information to predict peak usage times and deploy fleets accordingly.
Similarly, AI can provide insights into energy consumption, allowing companies to moderate supply and reduce waste accordingly.
AI in urban planning
AI can improve the quality of life of city dwellers across many key areas, and there are already several highly promising real-life case studies.
Specific applications include optimising traffic flows, forecasting urban growth, monitoring air and water quality, analysis of weather patterns for disaster preparedness and more.
AI is also helping reduce administrative burdens related to urban planning. For instance, The Alan Turing Institute has been testing AI to automate the handling of planning applications.
Engagement boosting AI tools
AI’s ability to provide personalisation at scale means it has several applications to community engagement.
Targeted outreach programmes based on demographic and psychographic data are one example. Delivery of content through preferred channels, again based on behavioural information, is another.
AI also has significant potential to provide support and advocacy for marginalised and vulnerable groups. The World Economic Forum views this as one of AI’s most promising global uses.
Conclusion
Councils should consider the strategic implementation of AI as a priority. While the use of AI in community settings is still at an early stage, its potential is undeniable.
Leaders who act now, carefully and ethically exploring the use of AI, are set to experience a range of benefits in the coming years and decades.
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