Title

EDUCATION

An invite to our free virtual Local Government AI Summit

The Local Government AI Summit on 18 January will showcase innovation and feature practical sessions on AI applications, governance and supplier insights. Dr Claire Darwin invites registrations.

Join us on Thursday, 18th January, for a free virtual half-day summit that I've had the pleasure of co-creating with Local Authority colleagues from across the country, along with Outcomes Matter Consulting and Datnexa who are hosting the event.

The summit is the culmination of efforts and ideas from our Local Authority AI Innovator Group that started meeting regularly last year. It is a true testament to what can be achieved through collaboration and shared vision, and the timescales at which the event has been pulled together has been impressive.

The agenda is diverse and it is practical, crafted to ensure you leave with actionable insights and a deeper understanding of AI's potential in your Local Authority.

The flexibility of the virtual summit also means you can engage with the snappy sessions that most interest you, allowing you to fit this valuable learning opportunity into your busy work schedule.

What's in store for you?

  • Meet your peers, and get to know Emma Ockelford and Adam Dustagheer your hosts
  • Hear how AI can transform the world of Education Health and Care Plans
  • Political thought leadership and support for AI use
  • Learn how Adult Social Care colleagues have been using AI
  • Corporate solutions for contact centres
  • Meeting LA data requirements and learning from the third sector
  • Understand how governance can be navigated
  • Hear about Microsoft's Co-Pilot offer
  • Join colleagues from the same service area to discuss AI pilots
  •  Consider how you can progress with AI maturity in your Council
  • Plus… a bonus suppliers' workshop for AI providers joining us!
  •  And finally, the launch of two very exciting AI solutions that you won't want to miss!

And there's more…. Introducing LGAi.uk

As part of the summit an online community platform ‘LGAi.uk' has been launched. As our community grows, so does the excitement for what we can achieve together. ‘LGAi.uk' provides us a space to continue these conversations, to innovate and inspire long after the summit's close.

Some of the key features include:

  • Local Authority colleagues only section for networking and collaborating
  •  Free and useful resources from other Local Authorities and suppliers
  • Supplier Directory of companies that are speaking or attending the summit, and more
  •  Exclusive live streams and summit content shared online on the community platform

What now?

Your participation in the summit is an opportunity to become part of a national movement that's driving real change in Local Government.

For those in Local Authorities looking to push the boundaries of service delivery and efficiency, it really is a must-attend. Register now to secure your spot.

I hope to see as many of you as possible at the Local Government AI Summit.

Dr Claire Darwin is principal educational psychologist at Suffolk CC

EDUCATION

Uniting to navigate LGR

By Nina Philippidis | 02 April 2026

Nina Philippidis reflects on how council colleagues and members from across Gloucestershire have successfully navigated the early phases of reorganisation.

EDUCATION

Counting the cost of the wrong hire

By Ben Parsonage | 02 April 2026

The value of finding the right people within local government has never been higher and when it comes to the executive search process, getting that wrong doe...

EDUCATION

How to reap the diversity dividend

By Simon Fanshawe | 01 April 2026

Diversity policies must drop performative gestures and provide evidence of change to the lives of staff and residents if they are to be supported by local pe...

EDUCATION

New towns strategy faces critical test of local consent

By John Gregory | 01 April 2026

John Gregory examines how the Government's new towns programme prioritises speed over scale and why securing local buy-in will determine whether ambition tra...