Councils across the country are taking part in a trial of a new AI tool called ‘Minute’ – part of the “Humphrey” suite - to cut burdensome admin tasks and improve services.
On Friday, the prime minister met with Heads of the devolved governments and elected English Mayors today at the Council of the Nations and Regions for talks on how AI can improve public services and maximise the technology’s benefits for people across UK, as well as discuss recent trade deals. Minute was used for the first time in this meeting, marking the first time AI has been used in a meeting chaired by a UK Prime Minister.
25 councils are taking part in the early-stage trial of ‘Minute’ to speed up note taking across the services they provide. This includes streamlining burdensome admin tasks in the planning process to help hit the government’s target of building 1.5 million homes by 2030.
It is hoped this could speed up actions after planning meetings, allowing officers to focus on the task at hand, rather than paperwork, and make informed decisions to get homes built.
The tool is also helping to take detailed notes in meetings between social care workers and their supervisors, allowing workers to focus on offering more support instead of being bogged down by bureaucracy.
A new AI Knowledge Hub has also been published, which shares exciting examples of how local councils are using technology so others can learn from them.
AI and digital government minister Feryal Clark said: "From parking permits and planning permission, local councils handle some of the services that impact our daily lives most. For too long, they have been left to fend for themselves when keeping up with rapid innovations in AI and digital technology – when we know it has huge potential to help solve many of the challenges they face.
"That’s why “Humphrey”, a suite of exciting AI tools built in my department, is being sent to townhalls to help them fast track planning decisions, build 1.5 million homes and take meeting notes more quickly. This is just the first step as we are also going to work with local councils to help them buy and build the technology they need to deliver our Plan for Change and support their local communities more effectively."
Lords minister for housing and local government Baroness Taylor said: "Local councils are on the frontline of housing delivery, and we’re backing them with cutting-edge AI technology like ‘Minute’, so officers can spend less time buried in admin and more time helping to get Britain building.
"This is alongside our landmark reforms to deliver 1.5 million homes, including the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, which will get working people and families in to secure homes and boost economic growth right across the country."
