MHCLG launches Local AI to support council tech deployment

A new programme to support the adoption of AI in local government has been launched by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), with a focus on practical deployment in high-pressure service areas.

Known as “Local AI”, the initiative will work directly with councils to identify where AI tools can improve frontline services and reduce administrative burden, while ensuring systems are implemented safely and ethically.

The programme is centred on several priority service areas where demand is high and operational pressures are significant. These include adult and children’s social care, housing and homelessness, special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), and customer service and casework administration.

The approach is designed to focus on “high impact opportunities” where AI can support both staff productivity and service outcomes. This includes deploying tools such as automated transcription, summarisation and AI-assisted customer support.

Local AI will adopt a test-and-learn methodology, working with councils through discovery and prototyping phases before scaling successful solutions. The programme will also aim to strengthen data quality, governance and ethical safeguards as part of wider adoption.

The team is expected to collaborate with organisations including the Local Government Association and other cross-government partners to ensure consistency in standards and to help councils navigate the AI supplier market.

A key element of the initiative is building confidence across the sector in the safe use of AI. This includes providing guidance, evaluation frameworks and shared standards to support procurement and implementation decisions.

The programme will also prioritise practical support for councils, including hands-on project work, opportunities to share learning, and the development of reusable tools and approaches that can be adopted across multiple authorities.

MHCLG emphasised that the work will be grounded in user needs, with councils involved throughout to ensure that solutions address real-world challenges rather than theoretical use cases.

Minister Dixon, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at MHCLG who has responsibility for AI in Local Government said: “Local government is where people see the real impact of good public services. This programme is about giving councils the confidence and practical tools to use AI in ways that genuinely help - cutting down admin, freeing up staff time, and ultimately improving outcomes for local people.

The initiative is expected to evolve as more councils participate, with insights from early projects informing future guidance and scaling decisions across the sector.