UK MHCLG launches Local AI team for responsible AI use in local government

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has established a new team called Local AI to support the responsible use of artificial intelligence across local government. The team works in partnership with councils to address real pressures they face and to accelerate AI adoption that improves efficiency, reduces costs and enhances services. It aims to amplify existing innovation, reduce duplication and create reusable tools in collaboration with the sector. This effort supports the Blueprint for Modern Digital Government principle of building digital tools once and reusing them across the public sector. Minister Dixon, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at MHCLG who has responsibility for AI in Local Government, said that local government is where people see the real impact of good public services. The programme gives councils confidence and practical tools to use AI in ways that help cut down admin, free up staff time and improve outcomes for local people. The approach learns from work already happening in councils and helps scale it rather than imposing solutions from the centre. Councils are under pressure as frontline staff spend large amounts of time managing information across multiple systems, re-entering data or writing notes. This reduces time for direct support in services such as social care and housing. Local AI helps councils navigate the AI market with clarity and confidence. The team focuses on building and scaling solutions by creating reusable AI tools and amplifying locally developed ones. It also works to strengthen foundations through better data quality, safe and responsible AI practices and market navigation support. In the past year the team performed discovery work on temporary accommodation services and an AI transcription tool from the Incubator for AI. It collaborated with Local Digital, GDS Local, i.AI and the Local Government Association. It took part in the Local Government Innovation Hackathon on Homelessness and Rough Sleeping and established the Mayoral Data Council. Local AI is now moving into delivery. Activities include incubating use cases in temporary accommodation, developing a transcription tool based on i.AI's Minute tool, further discovery work and support for data quality, ethics and safety. Councils can participate by influencing the work, sharing their AI impact, registering as early adopters or attending events. Contact is available at [email protected].