Ellie Ames 26 February 2025

Lack of staff and funding hinder AI progress

 Lack of staff and funding hinder AI progress image
Image: Owlie Productions / Shutterstock.com

County councils have warned that insufficient staff capacity and training and a lack of funding are hindering the roll-out of artificial intelligence (AI).

In a County Councils Network (CCN) survey of its members, 85% of respondents said they used AI, primarily within administration, adult social care, children’s services and roads maintenance.

But 93% of county and unitary councils reported that staff capacity was a barrier to rolling out AI or deploying it more widely, and almost 71% said employees lacked the necessary training.

Funding was also a barrier cited by 71% of councils.

CCN economic growth spokesperson Richard Roberts said: ‘If government wants to truly turbocharge AI usage across England, then it needs to maximise the potential in all four corners of the country.

‘That means ensuring that county and unitary areas are fairly resourced in the fair funding review, enabling them to invest in technology, as well as working with local government to address workforce capacity issues.’

Mapping successful 15-minute cities image

Mapping successful 15-minute cities

Is GIS the difference between success and failure for 15-minute neighbourhoods? Alex Zirpolo, principal GIS consultant at Lanpro, argues it is.
SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Educational Psychologist - Main Grade

Essex County Council
£43483.0000 - £63394.0000 per annum
Educational Psychologist - Main GradePermanent, Full TimeSoulbury Psychologists Scale A from 3 to 8 plus SPA opportunityLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Cleaner

Durham County Council
£24,027 pro rata
Cleaner Grade 1    £24,027 pro rata 12.5 hours per week, term time only + 4 weeks Permanent Required from 1st September 2025 The Head Teacher is look Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Social Work Assistant - Children In Care

Durham County Council
Grade 6 - £27,269 - £30,060 (Pay award pending)
We are seeking a Social Work Assistant (22 hours per week) to support our young people aged between 0 to 18 within our Children in Care Service.  WHA Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Team Leaders Transactional Services

Durham County Council
£39,513 to £43,693 p.a. (Grade 11) Pay Award Pending
An opportunity has arisen for a time-limited position of Team Leader within Durham County Council’s Transactional Services Team. There are two posts Spennymoor
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Apprentice - Procurement Degree

Durham County Council
Grade 1 £24,027 Pay award pending
Earn. Learn. Qualify.   Do you want to earn while you learn, with the chance of progression once you qualify? Do you want the opportunity to grow, dev Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner
OSZAR »