Using AI could save council £60m, says report

A council could save up to £60m over the next five years by using artificial intelligence (AI), a report has claimed.

An internal report carried out by Cheshire East Council said AI could save costs in areas such as customer service, adult social care and children's services.

Officers said AI could also reduce administrative backlogs and improve data accuracy at the local authority.

The report will be discussed by the council's corporate policy committee later.

It suggests AI could be used to reduce the number of calls dealt with by the council's contact centres, as well as assisting its social services and children's services departments.

Savings could total between £40m and £60m over five years, the report suggested.

"These benefits will be realised through improved service delivery, reduced costs, and enhanced operational efficiency," the report's authors wrote.

Cheshire East Council has faced financial difficulties in recent years, with the local authority seeking to save millions through a transformation plan.

It has also been granted exceptional financial support from the government - which would allow it to borrow to cover its day-to-day spending - for the second year in a row.

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