1. Introduction and strategic objectives
1.1 Purpose of the strategy
The purpose of this AI Strategy is to clearly articulate why and how Bracknell Forest Council will responsibly implement Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies. Specifically, the council will leverage AI to enhance productivity, improve service delivery and support sustainable development.
This strategy is intended as a permissive framework, enabling innovation rather than imposing restrictions, guiding the adoption and prioritisation of diverse AI tools and applications over the next 5 years.
Central to this approach is the commitment to aligning AI initiatives with the council’s broader objectives, including climate change commitments, ethical governance, and workforce development, while keeping residents firmly at the heart of decision making.
1.2 Vision and guiding principles
Bracknell Forest Council envisions becoming an AI-ready organisation, where AI tools empower staff, streamline operations and deliver tangible improvements to residents' lives. Maintaining a resident-centric approach, the strategy is grounded in 5 guiding principles:
Accountability and oversight
Ensuring transparent governance, clear decision making processes, and consistent human oversight
Fairness and inclusivity
AI deployment must prioritise equitable outcomes, avoiding biases and aligning with the Equality Act 2010 and GDPR.
Environmental responsibility
Commitment to environmentally sustainable AI practices, prioritising energy-efficient and low-carbon solutions aligned with the council's climate change goals.
Resident and stakeholder engagement
Active engagement of residents and stakeholders throughout the AI lifecycle, keeping their needs and perspectives central to decision making.
Workforce empowerment
Continuous staff training and development to build an AI literate workforce, fostering innovation aligned with council objectives.
1.3 Strategic objectives
The strategic objectives of the AI strategy clearly reflect the council's priorities and decision making process:
- establish a clear operational framework for deploying AI technologies, supporting efficiency gains and improved service outcomes across council departments
- embed ethical and environmental considerations firmly within AI deployments, ensuring resident trust and public interest remain paramount
- promote transparent and inclusive stakeholder engagement, emphasising resident empowerment, safety, and clear communication
- prioritise sustainable AI practices, focusing on tools and methodologies with lower environmental impacts, reducing the carbon footprint associated with AI operations
Through this strategy, Bracknell Forest Council demonstrates a clear commitment to responsible AI use, reflecting both local priorities and broader governmental aspirations for ethical and sustainable AI governance.
2. Governance and ethical standards
2.1 Governance structure
AI implementation will be governed by the council’s Information Management Group (IMG), chaired by the Senior Information Risk Owner (SIRO) and including the Caldicott Guardian and Data Protection Officer (DPO). This group, will oversee all ethical, legal, and security aspects of AI deployment.
2.2 Ethical standards
The council will adhere to ethical standards that safeguard fairness, transparency, and accountability. AI tools will be designed and applied to prevent biases and uphold the values outlined in the UK Government’s AI White Paper, including:
Transparency and explainability
AI applications will operate transparently, with clear documentation and explanations available on how decisions are made.
Fairness and non-discrimination
AI systems must not unfairly target or exclude any group. Tools will be reviewed for compliance with the Equality Act 2010, ensuring inclusive outcomes.
Human oversight
All AI-generated outputs will be reviewed and approved by council staff. AI will support human decision making, not replace it. The council will keep human in-the-loop practice.
Where the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 permits solely automated decision-making, any use by the council will require explicit approval, clear safeguards, transparency, and a right of appeal.
Data privacy
In line with GDPR, AI tools must safeguard resident data, ensuring privacy, security, and controlled access at all times.
The council will apply the lawful bases available under data protection law, including updates under the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 where relevant.
2.3 Information security and accountability
The IMG will regularly monitor and review AI applications to ensure compliance with data protection standards.
A comprehensive register (council’s configuration management database - (CMDB)) of AI applications used within council services will be maintained to track AI deployments, monitor performance and address any security concerns. This register will facilitate transparency and provide a basis for addressing potential risks or ethical issues.
3. Environmental commitment
3.1 Reducing the carbon footprint of AI
The council recognises the environmental impact of AI, particularly the high energy demand for large-scale data processing. All AI implementations will align with Bracknell Forest’s climate change strategy, prioritising tools that promote energy efficiency and sustainable practices.
3.2 Sustainable AI practices
By promoting sustainable AI practices, the council aims to support its climate change objectives and lead by example in responsible technology use.
To minimise the carbon footprint associated with AI:
Energy efficient infrastructure
AI tools will operate on energy-efficient platforms where possible, using renewable energy-supported data centres and low-energy computing processes.
Resource usage monitoring
Each AI tool will undergo regular assessment to track resource usage, aiming to identify and mitigate high-energy consumption.
Environmental metrics
Sustainability metrics will be incorporated into the evaluation of AI applications, assessing their alignment with council-wide climate targets and ensuring minimal impact on natural resources.
4. Stakeholder engagement
4.1 Stakeholder management and communication
Bracknell Forest Council will establish a transparent and collaborative approach to AI deployment, actively engaging residents, council staff and relevant stakeholders for each new AI project. Stakeholder engagement will be planned for every AI implementation phase, ensuring public understanding, trust and transparency.
4.2 Public and staff engagement for AI projects
For every AI solution introduced, a comprehensive stakeholder engagement plan will be developed, prioritising:
Transparency
Clear, accessible information on AI tools will be shared with stakeholders, detailing how AI applications support council operations.
Feedback mechanisms
The council will actively seek feedback from staff, residents, and community groups, using insights to refine AI applications and improve user experience.
Public trust and education
Each engagement session will offer an opportunity to inform and educate stakeholders on the benefits and limitations of AI, reinforcing the council’s commitment to responsible and ethical AI use.
5. Workforce readiness and training
5.1 Building an AI ready workforce
To harness the benefits of AI effectively, Bracknell Forest Council will integrate AI readiness into its workforce development agenda. AI readiness will align with the council’s workforce business change programme, focusing on upskilling staff and fostering a culture of innovation.
5.2 Staff training and development
The council is committed to providing continuous training on AI, data privacy and ethical considerations. Core aspects of the training programme will include:
- AI literacy - building an understanding of AI applications, data management and ethics among all staff
- role-based skills - tailored training for specific roles that interact directly with AI tools, ensuring practical proficiency in AI-assisted processes
- continuous learning - ongoing sessions and workshops to address emerging AI trends, operational skills, and responsible AI usage
5.3 Supporting innovation and development
Innovation and adaptability will be essential to AI success within the council. Inspired by industry best practices, the council’s AI programme will emphasise:
- clear project objectives - each AI initiative will have clearly defined goals, timelines and performance metrics, contributing to council priorities without unnecessary complexity
- flexible evaluation - AI projects will follow a phased evaluation approach, allowing for adjustments based on practical outcomes and stakeholder feedback
- encouraging experimentation - staff will be encouraged to explore new AI applications and share insights, fostering a culture of continuous improvement
6. Implementation and monitoring framework
6.1 Phased implementation approach
To ensure a responsible, controlled rollout, the council will adopt a phased approach for AI implementation. This will enable the council to monitor AI applications at each stage, making necessary adjustments to align with operational goals and ethical standards. The phased approach includes:
Phase 1: Pilot and assessment
Initial pilot projects will be conducted to assess the effectiveness, ethical implications and environmental impact of AI tools. These pilots will focus on specific, high-need use cases, allowing the council to collect real-time data on productivity, user experience and potential risks. Each pilot project will include clear objectives and measurable outcomes to evaluate AI’s value.
Phase 2: Evaluation and stakeholder engagement
Following initial pilots, the council will evaluate results, gathering input from staff, residents, and other stakeholders. This phase includes structured feedback sessions to refine AI tools and address any challenges encountered during the pilot. Engagement with the public will be emphasised to ensure transparency and build trust.
Phase 3: Gradual rollout
Based on evaluation insights, successful AI applications will be deployed on a wider scale across relevant council departments. AI tools will be gradually integrated into existing workflows, with training and support provided to ensure smooth adoption.
Phase 4: Ongoing monitoring and improvement
All AI applications will undergo continuous monitoring to assess their impact on productivity, environmental sustainability and ethical compliance. Regular reviews will be conducted to make sure AI aligns with the council’s strategic objectives, updating tools as needed (including the removal of the tool) to reflect changes in regulations, public expectations or operational requirements.
6.2 Performance metrics and reporting
Each AI application will be evaluated against performance metrics aligned with council goals. Performance reports will be submitted to the Information Management Group (IMG) and the Digital and Efficiency Business Change Programme at regular intervals, ensuring transparency and accountability in AI operations.
The following key performance indicators (KPIs) will be used:
Efficiency gains
Metrics such as task completion time, workload reduction, and cost savings will measure productivity improvements.
Compliance and security
Regular audits and data protection assessments will ensure AI tools comply with GDPR and other regulations.
Environmental impact
AI applications will be evaluated based on energy consumption and alignment with the council’s climate change strategy. Sustainability metrics will be used to track and minimise carbon emissions.
Stakeholder satisfaction
Staff and resident feedback will provide insights into AI’s usability, accessibility, and alignment with public expectations.
6.3 Risk management and contingency planning
AI applications inherently carry risks, including data privacy issues, potential biases, and unforeseen technical challenges.
AI systems will meet the council’s cyber resilience requirements, including proportionate controls, incident reporting, and (where appropriate) assurance against the NCSC Cyber Assessment Framework.
To mitigate these risks:
Risk assessments
Each AI project will include a comprehensive risk assessment to identify potential ethical, operational, and environmental risks. Mitigation plans will be developed for identified risks, with contingency plans in place for high-risk scenarios.
Incident response
The formal incident response plan will be updated for AI applications, detailing protocols for managing data breaches, system failures, or ethical concerns. The response plan will include a clear escalation path to ensure timely, effective resolution.
Regular reviews
AI applications will be reviewed on a rolling programme (based on risk profile and date of obsolescence) by the IMG to ensure compliance, mitigate emerging risks and maintain alignment with council values and priorities.
6.4 Governance and oversight
The council’s Information Management Group (IMG), led by the Senior Information Risk Owner (SIRO), will oversee all AI initiatives, including compliance with ethical, environmental, and governance standards. The IMG’s responsibilities include:
- approval and oversight - reviewing and approving AI projects based on their alignment with council goals, ethical standards and climate change strategy
- audit and accountability - conducting periodic audits to assess AI applications’ compliance with regulatory requirements and internal policies, including independent assurance where required by risk or legislation
- policy updates - updating AI policies and guidelines to reflect new regulations, ethical considerations or best practices in the field of AI
6.5 Continuous improvement and innovation
The council’s AI strategy will remain adaptable to emerging technologies and shifting public expectations. Through ongoing research, staff training, and community engagement, Bracknell Forest will pursue a culture of continuous improvement in AI, fostering innovation while safeguarding ethical and sustainable practices.
Research and development
The council will stay informed of AI advancements and explore new use cases that support council operations, improve resident services, or enhance staff capabilities.
Feedback loops
Feedback mechanisms will allow for ongoing dialogue with staff and residents, enabling improvements based on practical experiences and stakeholder input.
Regular strategy review
Every 2 years, the AI strategy will undergo a formal review, with updates made as necessary to reflect advancements in AI, changes in council priorities or updates to national regulations.
7. Conclusion
Bracknell Forest Council’s AI Strategy represents a forward-thinking approach to adopting AI responsibly and sustainably.
By aligning AI deployment with council objectives, ethical standards, climate change commitments and workforce readiness, the strategy supports Bracknell Forest’s commitment to serving residents effectively and transparently.
The strategy provides a strong foundation for integrating AI tools over the next 5 years, empowering the council to innovate and adapt in a changing digital landscape while upholding public trust and environmental stewardship.