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West Berkshire Council selected for Government artificial intelligence pilot.

West Berkshire Council is participating in the local authority trial for Minute

Communications team , 07 April 2025 09:10
Categories: April 2025
Market Street office

Minute is an AI transcription and summary tool developed by the Incubator for Artificial Intelligence to transcribe meetings and produce customisable summaries in the formats that public servants need. 

The Incubator for Artificial Intelligence is part of the Government Digital Service (GDS), within the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology. The team prototypes and deploys AI tools for use across the public sector. As part of an exciting new discovery, working with the Local Government Association, LOTI and other partners, i.AI is working with local authorities to give them trial access to 'Minute' and gather evidence on public sector transcription use cases. 

This builds on the government's AI Opportunities Action Plan, which recommends a 'scan, pilot and scale' approach to public sector AI and the Blueprint for Modern Digital Government, in which DSIT committed to work with local government, MHCLG and other departments to define new models for collaboration, aimed at improving outcomes for residents and reducing the financial burden on local authorities. 

The pilot of Minute is set to run across 25 local authorities, concluding in July. The Incubator will publish a summary of the findings of the pilot on its conclusion. More information about Minute is available on their website.

Cllr Vicky Poole, Portfolio Holder for Transformation and Corporate Programme (ICT and Digital Services) said:  

"I'm delighted that West Berkshire Council will be part of this pilot and look forward to the results. If used securely and ethically, artificial intelligence has the potential to revolutionise how the public sector works. Like all other instances of using AI in the Council, this will not be used to make decisions or create final versions of reports. Everything will be created by an Officer but helped by using Minute." 

Last modified: 07 April 2025 09:23

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