We're sharing the impact of AI with local authorities across the country

Local authority directors, senior leaders and other professionals from councils around the country have been invited to the AI Expo at County Hall in Preston on Tuesday 2 June.

The event will showcase how AI is already being used across different services to enhance quality, boost productivity and support better outcomes for residents.

To date, the council's Digital and learning development team have supported more than six and a half thousand staff – approximately 68% of our workforce - to use tools like Microsoft 365 Copilot to speed up everyday tasks.

Early estimations indicate that the targeted use of AI will free up 235,000 staff hours per year on routine tasks.

The AI Expo programme includes keynote sessions, a leadership panel discussion, service spotlights and interactive case studies.

Attendees will hear directly from Lancashire’s Director of Digital, Pete Lloyd, Director of Children’s Social Care Louise Anderson and Mairead Gill-Mullarkey who is Director of Adults Services Operations alongside other experts in the field.

There will also be opportunities to explore real case studies, including sessions on prompting with practitioners, the use of AI agents, and improving practice quality.

Councillor David Dwyer, cabinet member for Resources, Digital and Efficiency said: "Artificial Intelligence is helping us to work smarter, it's saving hundreds of thousands of hours for our staff, so they can spend more time supporting residents.

"We have created a culture where AI is helping people in their jobs, but it does not take away from professional judgment.

"It’s fantastic to see Lancashire leading the way, sharing what works and helping other councils do the same. This is all about improving services and delivering better outcomes for our communities."