A pilot for a free sandbox platform has been launched to allow councils to test and evaluate a number of AI and digital services prior to purchase.
NDX: Try will permit local authorities temporary access to a number of innovative tools without requiring commitment, seeking to resolve the widespread problem of councils with limited budgets being prevented from engaging in technological experimentation. It is currently being offered to local authorities and those in other public sector organisations who are willing to engage in user research engagement.
The service is to form part of a National Digital Exchange (NDX) platform, currently under development. NDX aims to provide all public sector organisations with equal opportunities to use advanced technologies, thereby improving collaboration and efficiency.
The tools available for testing on the platform range from LocalGov Drupal - a comprehensive AI-powered content management system, created by councils, for councils - to a minute generation tool and a automated sensitive data redaction service for Freedom of Information requests. Other available products include a citizen problem reporting platform, a council chatbot to aid users in understanding the different AI models, and an income management system.
NDX: Try also gives users access to an empty sandbox, free of pre-deployed resources, to allow for further experimentation, alongside hundreds of underlying services from the programme’s supporter and collaborator, Amazon Web Services.
The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) is currently in talks with a number of technology companies as it seeks to expand the platform, planning to offer more services and use cases as well as making it available to a wider range of public sector organisations.
In a blog post, Chris Nesbitt-Smith, who works at DSIT, stated that the department was keen to hear comments and feedback on the service while it remained in an experimental stage.
Local government organisations are able to sign up to self-service access to the service from its website. Other public sector organisations which wish to participate, as well as companies with a solution they’d like to be available on the platform, are encouraged to get in touch at ndx@dsit.gov.uk.