FOI001262 FOI Digital Development

I am writing to request information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 regarding your council’s preparedness and current initiatives relating to artificial intelligence (AI).
Specifically, I would like to understand the following:
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AI Strategy
1.    Does the council have an official AI strategy or roadmap?
o    If yes, please provide a copy or summary.
o    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?
o    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?
o    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.
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AI Projects and Use Cases
5.    Is the council currently using or piloting any AI tools or solutions?
o    If yes, what are the primary use cases (e.g., chatbots, fraud detection, process automation)?
o    Please list any vendors or solutions used.
6.    Has the council completed or planned any feasibility studies or pilot projects related to AI?
o    If yes, please provide a summary of findings or expected outcomes.
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Governance and Ethical Considerations
7.    How does the council ensure ethical considerations in the use of AI, such as avoiding bias in algorithms or ensuring transparency?
o    Are there governance frameworks in place to address these issues?
8.    Has the council undertaken any risk assessments for the implementation of AI technologies?
o    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?
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Talent and Skills
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?
o    If yes, how many, and in what roles?
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Infrastructure and Budget
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?
o    If yes, please provide details.
14.    Is there a long-term budget allocation plan for AI adoption or expansion?
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Public Engagement
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?
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Contact Information
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?