Hutt City Council looks to harness the power of AI

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CouncilServices

Published: 26 November 2024

Hutt City Council is taking bold steps to harness the power of artificial intelligence (AI) and position itself as a leader in the responsible use of the technology in New Zealand.

Prioritising operational efficiency was a key goal in the Long-term Plan approved by Council in June. And as financial challenges grow for councils around the motu, it’s clear that traditional methods of service delivery are no longer enough.

Council’s AI journey began in early 2024 with a series of workshops for senior staff. The sessions covered the potential of AI, the risks it posed, and how to implement it responsibly.

This quickly led to the Council developing an AI strategy which outlines a vision for using AI to align with organisational goals, as well as addressing community needs.  It’s accepted that organisations should have an AI Strategy to set ambition and risk tolerance and provide a framework for the adoption of AI.

The strategy is complemented by an AI policy which provides clear guidelines to staff for the ethical and responsible use of the technology.

The AI Strategy is underpinned by principles of ethical use and cultural alignment, including a unique integration of the Māori values of Tika (correctness) and Pono (truthfulness).  This reflects a deep commitment to ethical and responsible use in a way that promotes trust.

November marked the launch of the AI-Volution project to introduce AI tools and solutions incrementally across the organisation. As part of early work, Council conducted an internal trial of Microsoft CoPilot and ChatGPT to understand where AI could help in people’s roles. Early data suggest participants of the trial saved an average of 38 minutes per day, which equates to 20 working days annually, based on an 8-hour working day.

The next phase of Council’s AI work is about getting the tools into the hands of more staff, rolling out AI to at least 150 people across the organisation.  Alongside this, specific AI assistants will be developed to help staff with repetitive tasks.

Chief Executive Jo Miller says the move is about being an early technology adopter and delivering cost effective services whilst ensuring staff become skilled in the jobs of the future.

“AI allows us to work smarter, not harder, freeing up time to work on complex problem solving and creative projects. It’s about ensuring our community receives high-quality service through effective management of resources.

“We will embed AI into our daily work, get ahead of technology as fast as we can and drive innovation in our sector.”

Council acknowledged AI comes with risks, including issues around privacy, bias, and security. To help manage these risks, Council has partnered with PwC New Zealand to leverage their expertise to navigate the complexities of AI adoption. This strategic partnership has enabled Council to reduce implementation costs, share risks, and access cutting-edge insights.

The collaboration reflected a shared commitment to innovation, with PwC New Zealand supporting the Council in designing and deploying AI solutions that align with its strategic goals. The partnership also ensures a phased, self-funding approach, allowing the Council to reinvest cost savings into further AI developments and operational improvements.

Hutt City Council’s forward-thinking approach puts it at the forefront of responsible AI use in local government, making it one to watch as the technology transforms public services across New Zealand.