Under the Freedom of Information Act (2000), I would like to request the following information regarding usage of Artificial Intelligence within your councils' services:

1. Tools and Implementation
a) Does your organization utilize any form of Artificial Intelligence or automated systems within its operations: Yes
b) If yes, please list specific tools, programs or platforms in use and identify which service areas they are deployed in. (E.g., social care, housing, customer services): MS Copilot, MS Power platform and Netcall are widely used across the organisation
c) Are any artificial intelligence tools being piloted, please provide brief details of its purpose, timeline and evaluation criteria if so: Copilot premium is under trial to improve productivity
d) Do you have any AI tools specifically used for social care, housing services, bin routes or housing services: No

2. Efficiency & Impact
a) Has use of AI boosted efficiency within your organization: Yes
b) Has there been any formal or informal measurement of time saved, and efficiency gained because of artificial implementation? If so, please provide the findings: Yes qualitative feedback from trial users
c) Can you identify specific areas where it has worked well: Yes
d) How much of the staff within your organization has access to AI tools: Copilot Chat is available to all officers, premium copilot to a trial group of 380 officers. Our HR agent is organisation wide

3. Governance & Policy
a) Do you have a formal AI strategy, policy or governance board in place? If so, please provide a copy or a link to it. Please see attached policy
b) Is a Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) or any similar procedure required before any AI tool is deployed: Yes
c) Has an Equality Impact Assessment been completed for any AI tools in use: Yes
d) Do you require human oversight for AI-assisted outputs or decisions? Please describe how this is enforced: Yes
e) Is there a designated individual or team responsible for AI oversight within your organization: Yes

4. Ethics & Privacy
a) How have ethical risks such as bias, or privacy been addressed in the usage of AI within your organization: Please see attached file
b) How do you address risks of bias, particularly in services affecting vulnerable groups such as children, elderly residents, or benefit claimants: please see attached file
c) Are residents informed when AI has been involved within decisions or communications affecting them? If so, how: AI is not used to make decisions, all decisions are made by humans

5. Staff & Culture
a) Has your organization provided training or guidance regarding the usage of AI tools: Yes
b) How have staff concerns around AI, such as job displacement been addressed: Staff communication

6. Future Plans
a) Are there any AI tools, pilots or strategies planned for the next 12-24 months? If yes, please provide detail.
Exploiting use of MS Copilot and emerging AI technologies available through line of business systems