In a bid to tackle severe budget pressures, Derby City Council has turned to artificial intelligence to help manage adult care services.
The council has developed an AI algorithm designed to suggest when elderly residents may need to enter care.
While a human will ultimately review and approve these recommendations, the move has sparked debate about whether vulnerable citizens should be guided by a machine.
How the AI System Works
The AI examines adult services data to propose recommendations for care, including care reviews, supported living applications, placements, and even blue badges for disabled drivers.
A council officer will then approve the AI’s suggestions or make adjustments as needed.
The project, part of a £7 million contract with ICS.AI, aims to save £6 million in adult services, according to documents obtained through freedom of information requests.
Concerns from Charities
Charities and campaigners have expressed concern about relying on AI to make decisions affecting some of the most vulnerable members of society.
Dennis Reed, director of Silver Voices, told The Telegraph: “We are running before we can walk with AI, and older and vulnerable people are being used as a test bed with no safeguards in place.
A bot assessing care needs – whatever next?”
Caroline Abrahams, charity director at Age UK, echoed the call for caution: “AI is here to stay – and used in the right way, it should benefit us all, as well as helping hard-pressed public bodies manage within tight budgets.
However, it is still very early days with this technology, so while we should not be afraid of it, we are still finding out what it can do really well and what it can’t.”
Financial Pressures Drive Innovation
Derby City Council’s adult services have struggled under years of budget cuts, currently facing a £4 million overspend this financial year.
The service was previously graded “requires improvement” by the Care Quality Commission, and the council says funding shortages left them unable to boost staffing levels.
Councillor Hardyal Dhindsa highlighted the council’s push for digital transformation: “We went for a roots-and-all, hearts-and-minds approach to delivering innovative AI solutions to the challenges that local authorities face.”
The authority has been rolling out AI tools across the council to help address funding gaps created by central government cuts.
The Debate Continues
While Derby hopes AI can help manage costs and improve efficiency, the initiative has sparked wider questions about the ethics of using technology to make decisions that directly affect vulnerable individuals.
The council has been contacted for further comment.
