AI in Local Government: Steps to better services
Local government is under constant pressure to deliver more with fewer resources. Budgets are stretched and the demands continue to rise. In that context, AI isn’t a silver bullet, but it can be a practical tool to help councils work more efficiently and make budgets go further.
That said, the path to adoption isn’t straightforward. Many local authorities face significant challenges when it comes to digital maturity, from outdated systems and fragmented data, to low confidence and limited internal capacity for experimentation. But that doesn’t mean progress is out of reach.
We’ve seen that with the right approach, any organisation can begin to explore the value of AI in controlled, manageable ways. Whether it's using AI to summarise complex documents, automate routine admin tasks, identify patterns in service demand, or triage resident enquiries, there are now accessible tools that don’t require large budgets or in-house data science teams to get started.
Crucially, adopting AI doesn’t have to mean radical transformation. It’s more about finding the small, specific opportunities where it can make a difference. From reducing pressure on teams, shortening turnaround times, or giving residents faster, more consistent answers, AI can help.
Through our AI accelerator work with both public and private organisations, we’ve found that successful adoption comes down to three key steps:
Inspiration – Building digital confidence through hands-on learning and demystifying what AI can and can’t do.
Ideation – Identifying real, local problems where AI could help—not tech for its own sake, but tools that solve known pain points.
Impact – Supporting implementation with the right safeguards, governance, and ongoing support to ensure value is realised and sustained.
Done well, AI can help councils and their residents. It’s not about keeping up with tech trends, it’s about getting the basics working better.
At Darter, we help local authorities move from curiosity to capability: starting small, staying practical, and always focused on what works for you.