In Placecast Episode 20, presenter Nicola Headlam speaks with economic development consultant and LPIP Policy Fellow Kevin Fenning about the growing role of artificial intelligence in local government. Drawing on research that identified more than 100 examples of AI use across the sector, Kevin explores how councils are adopting AI to support services ranging from social care and planning to fraud detection, customer engagement and infrastructure maintenance.
The conversation examines both the opportunities and risks of AI adoption, including the importance of maintaining public trust, keeping “humans in the loop” for decision-making, and building the capacity of local authorities to use emerging technologies effectively. Nicola and Kevin also discuss leadership, innovation, evidence, procurement and the challenge of scaling successful projects across the sector, offering a timely assessment of how AI could reshape the future of place-based public services.
In this podcast, Kevin discusses his recent report:
Guest Speaker
Kevin Fenning
Director, Evidence First
Kevin Fenning is an economic consultant with 16 years’ experience leading teams for public and private sector clients. Kevin’s work focuses on economic strategy and analysis, and building the case for investment in locally significant projects.
Kevin works extensively with local and central government to support and promote economic development, as well as working on behalf of a range of other organisations and anchor institutions, including research councils, universities, business representative organisations, investors and developers, and NHS Trusts.
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Host
Dr Nicola Headlam
Dr Nicola Headlam has over 20 years of experience working across all aspects of the multi-helix innovation system, including central and local government, civil society and campaigning, academic research and knowledge mobilisation, and industry. Along the way, she has honed her expertise in urban and regional subnational economic development, the roles of government in shaping place, and in utilising data and evidence for transformation.
In 2024, she became a freelance economic advisor on the role of leadership and partnerships, urban and living lab forms for research, the future of cities and foresighting methods, urban transformations, place-branding and urban regeneration and the spatial consequences of public policy.
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Transcript
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Disclaimer:
The views expressed in this analysis post are those of the author and not necessarily those of City-REDI or the University of Birmingham.
Generative AI was used to generate parts of the blog using the transcript from the podcast.