Smith Square Debate: Artificial Intelligence, 7 March 2024 (hybrid event)

The LGA's next Smith Square Debate will bring together a panel of expert speakers to discuss the risks and rewards of AI for local government.         

Our Smith Square Debate, funded by Government, will focus on:

• Risks: What AI risks concern councils? How can councils most effectively manage these risks? What do councils need from government to address the risks posed by AI and to support their participation in an AI driven future?
• Rewards: How could AI transform council services? What do councils have to gain from harnessing AI? What progress has been made? Where is AI currently being deployed in local government?
• Readiness: How ready are councils to use AI in their business operations and service delivery? What are the challenges for AI readiness? How could councils be supported to achieve a higher state of readiness to deploy and to use AI safely and effectively? 

Aimed at leaders, policy-makers and opinion-formers, our Smith Square Debates are lively discussions on issues as wide-ranging as levelling up, Brexit, spending reviews, climate change and devolution in England.

Confirmed speakers:

• Sarah Peña, Head of Emerging Technology and Business Improvement, Swindon Borough Council
   
• Felicity Burch, Executive Director, Responsible Technology Adoption Unit, Department for Science, Innovation & Technology
   
• Jennifer Schooling, Professor of Digital Innovation and Connected Places, Anglia Ruskin University
   
• Sue Daley, Director of Tech and Innovation, TechUK

The debate will be chaired by Cllr Shaun Davies, Chair, Local Government Association.