AI Evaluation Toolkit for Local Authorities

In order to support the responsible adoption of AI by councils, the LGA wishes to work with a supplier to develop a toolkit to support councils to evaluate new and existing AI focused initiatives. The toolkit will provide practical, versatile, clear, and concise support to council officers, enabling them to confidently design and conduct evaluations of AI solutions. It should be developed in collaboration with local government digital officers, AI practitioners, and senior leaders, ensuring it reflects the realities of the sector. This should reflect existing procurement and assurance processes and existing AI evaluation guidance from central government, but should be responsive to local government contexts. The toolkit must be grounded in the local government context and informed by the lived experiences of AI adoption at the local level. It should focus on the specific challenges that councils face in evaluating AI, rather than drawing too narrowly on insights from the general evaluation literature.