How Open Council Network Supports Local Councils in Aligning with the AI Playbook Principles

The Open Council Network (OCN) is dedicated to improving public engagement with local government by using AI to transcribe and summarize council meetings, and making them accessible to the public through online publication, social media, newsletters and local journalism.

The Government Digital Service has published the "Artificial Intelligence Playbook for the UK Government" which contains ten principles for responsible AI deployment.

Below, we outline how partnering with OCN helps local councils meet each principle of the AI Playbook.

Principle 1: You know what AI is and what its limitations are

AI is a powerful tool for improving government transparency, but it has limitations, including accuracy, bias, and the need for human oversight. OCN acknowledges these limitations by implementing a responsible AI approach, ensuring that our automated transcription and summarization tools are complemented by human review.

To achieve this, OCN:

• Actively communicates which content is generated by AI
• Incorporates human feedback mechanisms for all AI-generated summaries
• Implements a robust and expanding set of technical measures to improve the veracity of the information that it publishes

This approach ensures councils can confidently benefit from the improved public experience provided by AI tools, while retaining human decision-making authority.

Principle 2: You use AI lawfully, ethically and responsibly

Ethical AI use ensures fairness, accountability, and compliance with legal standards. OCN prioritizes responsible AI implementation by aligning with UK data protection laws, including GDPR compliance for handling public and council data.

Ethical AI practices are at the core of our work, and as an independent, impartial service that is neither aligned directly with the council, nor with journalists or any political party, our processes are designed to ensure our work avoids bias and fairly represents council discussions.

Principle 3: You know how to use AI securely

Security is vital when using AI in government. OCN follows robust cybersecurity practices to protect council data and prevent unauthorized access. Our platform adheres to the government's Secure by Design principles, ensuring that AI-generated content remains protected from manipulation while maintaining transparency in data use.

Principle 4: You have meaningful human control at the right stages

AI should assist public services while allowing for human oversight where necessary. OCN ensures that councils and the public retain meaningful control over AI-generated summaries by enabling direct feedback, review mechanisms, and council-provided commentary.

OCN's AI-generated summaries are designed to be delivered quickly and cost-effectively, without direct editorial intervention at the point of creation. However, we provide:

• A user feedback system for residents, journalists, and councils to request clarifications or reviews
• The ability for councils to add their own commentary alongside our summaries
• Mechanisms to identify and address inaccuracies where necessary

This approach maintains both the efficiency of AI-generated insights and the transparency and accountability expected in public service communications.

Principle 5: You understand how to manage the full AI life cycle

Managing AI solutions effectively requires continuous monitoring, updates, and improvements to ensure long-term value. OCN takes care of the AI life cycle by providing councils with an evolving service that adapts to new developments without requiring technical maintenance from them.

Unlike traditional AI implementations that involve high up-front costs and static tools, OCN operates on a subscription model with no upfront implementation fee. This means councils benefit from continuous development and enhancements as part of their subscription, rather than being locked into a system that quickly becomes outdated.

Principle 6: You use the right tool for the job

Selecting the right technology is essential for efficiency. OCN applies AI specifically to tasks that benefit from automation, such as meeting transcription and summarization, while ensuring that human expertise remains integral to decision-making.

Principle 7: You are open and collaborative

Collaboration improves AI effectiveness. OCN fosters transparency by working closely with councils, journalists, and the public, ensuring that meeting summaries are openly accessible and shaped by community feedback.

By working with journalists, rather than operating in isolation, OCN taps into the power of investigative and local reporting to turn raw council discussions into meaningful stories that resonate with the public. Journalists provide critical context, analysis, and the ability to connect local issues to broader national conversations, ensuring that council decisions are not just recorded but understood and acted upon.

Principle 8: You work with commercial colleagues from the start

OCN provides a structured, council-friendly commercial partnership model, allowing councils to integrate AI into their operations efficiently and cost-effectively. By working with OCN early, councils can align AI adoption with their strategic transparency and communication goals.

Principle 9: You have the skills and expertise needed to implement and use AI solutions

Successful AI adoption requires the right expertise to ensure its responsible and effective use. OCN has developed specialized expertise in applying AI to improve local government transparency, ensuring that our tools are built and managed by a team that understands both AI technology and the unique needs of councils.

While we do not provide formal AI training, we offer guidance and support to councils on how to effectively integrate our AI-driven summaries into their workflows. Our expertise helps councils navigate the opportunities and limitations of AI in public engagement, ensuring they can use the insights generated by our platform to enhance communication, transparency, and accountability.

Principle 10: You use these principles alongside your organisation's policies

AI use should align with existing governance structures and policies to ensure responsible implementation. OCN works with councils to ensure that our AI-driven services integrate seamlessly within their transparency and communication frameworks.

To support this, we actively engage with local governance organisations, including the Local Government Information Unit (LGIU) to ensure our approach aligns with best practices and sector-wide standards. By collaborating with these organisations, we help councils navigate AI adoption while maintaining compliance with their own policies and broader governance expectations.

Conclusion

By working with the Open Council Network, local councils can enhance transparency, improve public engagement, and responsibly integrate AI into their operations—all while aligning with the AI Playbook's principles. We invite councils to engage with us in shaping the future of open, accessible, and democratic local government.

To discuss how your council can collaborate with Open Council Network, contact us at: councils@opencouncil.network