Councils should get a share of the £2bn announced for artificial intelligence (AI) in the Spending Review, experts have suggested.
Executive vice president and head of Europe at technology firm Mphasis, Ashish Devalekar, made the call after the Government allocated £2bn for AI from 2026-27 to 2029-30.
Client director at consultancy Gate One, Rob Bradshaw, added: ‘Local authorities should get a share of the investment announced in the Spending Review. Many local authorities are focusing on demonstrating the value of AI through early adopter projects so they can innovate and show the benefits, helping to build momentum. However, more investment is needed in the foundations of the future, such as data management and upskilling people to work with and alongside AI, to really understand and maximise the impact.'
The Local Government Association (LGA) has argued the sector ‘requires investment to innovate' and the Tony Blair Institute think-tank has called for increased funding and central support to help councils harness AI effectively.
An LGA survey last month found the biggest barrier to deploying AI identified by councils was a lack of funding (62%).
However, spokesperson for digital leadership for senior officers' organisation Solace, Alison McKenzie-Folan, warned: ‘There aren't going to be big pots of money coming forward on digital transformation.
‘I don't think it's insurmountable for councils to train people internally. It's about creating that learning culture in your own organisations, sourcing your own innovation and getting on with it.
‘We are in the middle of radical change through AI. You cannot stand still. Therefore, you need to embrace the positives of it.'
