Responsible AI


Helping boroughs be ambitious and responsible users of AI to improve how they function.

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Status: Live

Introduction

Local authorities are keen to use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to improve how they function. There are potentially huge gains to make for local authorities, including on the individual productivity of staff, the overall redesign and reimagination of services and service delivery, cost savings for authorities, and improving our relationship with residents.

LOTI also recognises that to be ambitious with AI also means being ambitious in navigating our specific responsibilities as local authorities.  In particular, this means considering how we get the balance right around issues like transparency, trust, ethics and information governance.

To do this, LOTI are developing a programme of work around Responsible AI to help our boroughs be more ambitious users of AI. This LOTI project will respond to the needs identified by our members, in particular around bringing together and sharing ideas and case studies, developing skills, as well as developing common approaches and understandings to using AI better.

LOTI AI Network & Generative AI Adoption Working Group

LOTI runs an AI Network with over 200 officers from London boroughs, and a Generative AI Adoption Working Group within this network that meets monthly to share learnings and discuss common challenges regarding different AI adoption challenges. We also have our Data Science Network which shares learnings between data scientists and engineers, often pertaining to AI or machine learning applications. If you work for a LOTI borough and want to join these groups, you can register to join the here.

Collaborators


Resources


Guidance on Generative AI

LOTI have created four resources to initially guide local authorities to make sure they are able to confidently approach aspects of Generative AI.

AI Opportunities in Adult Social Care

A report identifying a shortlist of AI opportunities in Adult Social Care for council officers and others who may be interested.

AI Opportunities in Housing Services

A report identifying a shortlist of AI opportunities in housing services for council officers and others who may be interested.

London Data Ethics Service

The London Data Ethics Service has been established by LOTI as part of our aim to help boroughs identify and navigate the ethical issues within their current data projects, and improve their capability to manage these issues themselves in the …

Project Timeline


Research Launch: Humans in the Loop: What should the role of officers be in AI-powered public services?

LOTI is starting a new research project at the intersection of our AI and Data Ethics work, critically examining the concept of ‘humans-in-the-loop’.

A collage featuring a vintage illustration of a woman’s head mapped with labeled sections resembling a phrenology chart. The mapped sections are overlaid by a neutral network diagram– depicting crisscrossing black lines. Two anonymous hands extend from the left side, pulling on two wires from the diagram. In the background is a panel of the Turing Machine with numerous knobs and switches, highlighting a connection between the history of computing, psychology, biology, and artificial intelligence.

Using AI to better understand and support homelessness interventions in London

LOTI’s Anna Humpleby explains the technical details of how LOTI and other London organisations are applying machine learning techniques to support homelessness interventions in London.

Blog: AI in public services: four vital steps towards public trust

Ed Houghton, who led the DSIT AI assurance research at DG Cities, draws practical lessons from some of the key findings for local government.

A collage of images from LOTI events with the LOTI logo in the centre

Launch of LOTI AI Network & GenAI Working Group

In 2024, LOTI launched their AI Network. As of 2025 it includes over 200 officers from councils, and their GenAI Adoption Working Group which meets monthly (originally Copilot & Gemini Working Group). To join these groups, LOTI members can register here.

Reflections from exploring the possible impact of AI on ending homelessness

LOTI’s Jay Saggar reflects on his time exploring the opportunities and limits of AI in housing systems, in a multidisciplinary convening, drawing on expertise from global perspectives across research, government, nonprofits and tech.

Learnings and Reflections from GenAI Trial at Ealing Council

Ada Maymó Costa from Ealing Council shares their council’s learnings and reflections from their GenAI trial using Microsoft Copilot.

London Data Week DataThinks: A careful approach to public sector automation

As part of LOTI’s LDW DataThinks, researcher Anna Dent sets out the key considerations for local authorities looking to integrate automated systems and tools into their operations.

London Data Week Datathinks: More than a checklist exercise: Trustworthy and ethical assurance

As part of LOTI’s LDW DataThinks, Dr Sophie Arana, Research Application Manager, Turing Research and Innovation Cluster in Digital Twins (TRIC-DT), discusses a novel approach to building systems that are trustworthy and ethical for end users.

Webinar: LOTI AI in Housing Services Presentation

In the first video of this two-part webinar series, Sam Nutt and colleagues from Faculty expound on research conducted with boroughs about using AI to improve housing services.

Webinar: LOTI AI Adult Social Care Presentation

In this video, Sam Nutt and colleagues from Faculty explore the potential impact of AI in improving the delivery of services in Adult Social Care across boroughs.

Blog: 10 ideas for a roadmap of responsible AI in local government

In this blog, LOTI Researcher and Data Ethicist Sam Nutt sets out his vision for 10 ideas and activities that local authorities might want to take to become better uses of generative AI in the coming years.

Blog: Using Copilot in Local Government: Lessons from the LOTI AI Meetup

In this blog, LOTI reflect on an AI Meetup hosted by Westminster Council in December 2023 in partnership with Microsoft, looking at Copilot in local government.

Q&A with panel. As pictured from left to right: Sam Nutt, Researcher & Data Ethicist (LOTI), Harry Reid (Microsoft), Becky Chapman, Chief Delivery & Engagement Officer, Digital & Innovation (Westminster City Council), Tony Ellis, Service Director IT (Buckinghamshire Council).

Blog: 10 ideas for a roadmap of responsible AI in local government

In this blog, LOTI Researcher and Data Ethicist Sam Nutt sets out his vision for 10 ideas and activities that local authorities might want to take to become better uses of generative AI in the coming years.

Blog: The State of Play of AI in Local Government

In this blog, Sam Nutt summarises the findings of LOTI research and collaborations undertaken during the Summer of 2023 into generative AI in local government.

06/09/2023

LOTI launches Gen AI Guidance for Local Authorities

LOTI have created four resources, including a ‘State of Play’ research report, to help guide staff and senior leaders in local authorities with their initial use of Generative AI.

18/05/2023

Survey Launch: Generative AI in Local Government

LOTI launched our initial research into Generative AI in local government in the Summer of 2023. This has now closed. Read the blog post detailing the initial launch of the survey.

A photographic rendering of a young black man standing in front of a cloudy blue sky, seen through a refractive glass grid and overlaid with a diagram of a neural network.

Project Kick-off

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