BIG READ: Is AI coming to Tipperary County Council?

Tipperary County Council is exploring the possible use of artificial intelligence for some of its services. 

The Tipperary Star submitted a request under the Freedom of Information Act, for documents about the use of AI at the council.

In response, Tipperary County Council said:

“TCC is exploring AI as a tool for the use of Irish Sign Language, and exploring AI for web-site based services, and to design forms.”

We requested all reports, proposals, memos, risk assessments and guidelines prepared in relation to the council’s use of AI. 

The response from the council was that there were none. 

Tipperary County Council was contacted a number of times for comment but had not responded at the time of publishing.

WHAT I S AI?

Artificial Intelligence is technology that allows computers and machines to solve problems and complete tasks in a similar way to humans.

AI has been around for a while, with the term coined in 1956 by MIT computer scientist John McCarthy.

We use AI for lots of things, like GPS and chatbots.

If you have a Siri or Alexa device in your home, you are already using it everyday.

But with the popularity growth of applications like Google’s Gemini or OpenAI's ChatGPT, AI has been thrust back into the limelight.

Many businesses and organisations are looking to use these tools. And yes, some more nefarious actors have their eyes on them too.

The difference is a matter of the tool being narrow or generative. Chatbots are narrow.

They do one task, and the data they use is a script. Generative models like ChatGPT are learning to manipulate human language to create or generate material or content.

They are trained to use data to learn how to use human language. An algorithm, which is just a set of instructions, tells the model how to process the data.

Think of it this way. If we asked a programme to put all the stories on tipperarylive.ie with the words community, arts and fundraiser on one web page, that would narrow AI. It wouldn’t write the stories for us, just organise them.

Now, suppose we asked a generative AI programme to write a story with just those words.

We would get a full story, not only incorporating those words but also narrative and plot.

It’s a very different, far more complicated task. And there are programmes that can do that with video and imagery, not just words.

Sometimes these programmes are called Large Language models.

These models are amazing but limited and sometimes they make mistakes because they are only as good as the information they process.

A COUNCIL NEAR YOU

Tipperary County Council is not the only local authority with an interest in AI. 

Donegal County Council has partnered with NUI Galway and organisations in Sweden, Iceland and Finland on a project called Enaibler.

Enaibler is a four-year EU-funded project that aims to help local governments develop AI policies.

Dublin City County Council announced in February they are to partner with OpenAI on a number of tourism projects. 

In the UK, many local councils are using or planning to use AI in the provision of their services.

Earlier this year, Derby Council announced their plan to use AI-based tools in their social care teams and in other areas of customer service. Derby Council are already using the technology to answer phone calls.

ITV reported in January that eight local authorities in the UK are piloting a technology called Littercam. 

Littercam records even small pieces of rubbish thrown from cars and analyses footage for the car’s registration plate. 

This may mean councils could issue more fines. 

According to the BBC in February, West Berkshire Council announced they would use AI technology to predict where potholes would appear in roads. 

Also according to the BBC last September, Kent County Council is to use AI to catch speeding drivers, identify people vulnerable to homelessness and to find roads that need fixing.

East Riding Council adopted a formal AI policy just last week.

That comes after a number of news outlets reported that only around a quarter of councils using AI tools have formal policies in place.

WHAT DO YOUR COUNCILLORS THINK?

We reached out to councillors across Tipperary to get their views on the use of AI in local authorities and in public services. 

From the responses we received, local representatives were split on the weighing of AI’s risks and benefits.

Some councillors felt that AI was here and here to stay, and the council should take advantage of its many benefits. 

All councillors had concerns about the application of AI-based tools. Some were specifically concerned about the effect AI might have on workers and data protection. 

Cllr Seamus Hanafin said he believes AI can be of benefit to the council, especially as an assistive tool. But he said the new technology needs to be used responsibly.

“Like every new technology, we are a bit sceptical at the start. It could be useful to the county council, and it will become more pervasive in society. So, we can’t be luddites about it. 

“It will absolutely bring benefits, and it can be beneficial to the council if used correctly, it can make the council more efficient and interactive,” said Cllr Hanafin.

Cllr Hanafin said that he has seen how the council have used social media to disseminate information, create awareness campaigns and interact with the public.

He said he would have had his concerns about social media but there are positives and negatives.

“This is just a continuation of that,” said Cllr Hanafin.

Cllr Peggy Ryan said she sees AI as a potential tool for some issues the council currently faces like motoring street lighting or climate action. 

“The Climate Crisis is at the fore of many people’s minds at the moment, and AI will have a key role in addressing this. AI can be beneficial in monitoring weather movements and trends.

“It can also analyse vast amounts of information quickly, so mechanisms can be in place to advise people rapidly and in targeted ways about torrential rain, stormy conditions, flooding and their overall safety. AI can also help with our lighting systems. 

“Currently in Tipperary, there are over 16,000 lights and this figure is set to grow, so it would be beneficial if there were a system which monitored and relayed information in real-time regarding their functionality,” said Cllr Ryan.

But, Cllr Ryan said she would be concerned about overreliance on technology at the expense of a human touch. 

“Local Government is about the locality and forming connections within communities is key. The voice at the end of the phone and the person behind the email add a layer of humanity and a touch point of connection that an automated device cannot deliver.

“I believe AI is the future, but we need safeguards too. Questions will have to be asked and answered regarding our personal data management and imagery.

“We should never get to the stage where we feel like we are living in either a police or nanny state. It is also important to bear in mind that Governments function because of two key features: the public purse and the will of the people. 

“Regarding the former, AI will have cost-saving features, but people need to feel heard, seen and supported, and automation should never surpass the critical role that people within the Authorities play.

“We need layers of humanity and common sense in policies, otherwise they will be worthless, and so will the Local Authority,” said Cllr Ryan.

Cllr Sean Ryan said continuing to use technology in public services is something he would welcome. 

He said technology like chatbots could help people get answers to their questions while freeing staff up to do other work. But, that we need to be careful with AI because we are only now learning about and developing it.

“The world of technology and technological advancement is an evolving space and any developments in technology that could both improve and enhance public services at Tipperary County Council are to be welcomed.

“However, given we are only learning about AI, I would like to see some human oversight, initially at least on any new service powered by AI,” said Cllr Ryan.

South Tipperary councillor Kevin O’Meara said that he sees benefits and risks with AI. 

Like Cllr Ryan, he felt that data management and protection and whether it would replace humans as concerns.

“I've worked in IT for the past 25 years, so I am very much aware of AI, its capabilities and the risks involved with its use,” said Cllr O’Meara.

He cited a 2020 World Economic Forum jobs report that predicted 85 million jobs could be lost to AI, but 97 million would be created. I’m sure there is concern about the impact on workers, the concern is understandable given the advances in AI capabilities.

“I believe, in most cases, humans remain indispensable in understanding how to use it, AI needs to be fed information and trained on what to do with it as well as monitoring outputs,” siad Cllr O’Meara.
Cllr O’Meara said the main concern he would have is how the models handle sensitive information. Some of the questions he would ask are: how will data be shared with third parties? For how long will it be retained and whether a person can request their information deleted?

“As AI and its use grows, regulations will need to evolve to ensure its ethical use and data protection/privacy is maintained,” said Cllr O’Meara. 

Cllr Andy Moloney echoed Cllr O’Meara’s concerns saying discussion and proper regulation will be needed. 

But he said AI is “probably heading to all businesses.”

Nenagh Cllr Seamie Morris said he would like to see the focus shift to staff rather than AI.

“Of course, like everything in life, it will play a role in the future but I would have to see the correct protocols in terms of data protection being in place first.

 “The biggest issue we have as a county council is a severe shortage of staff and that is where I would like to see the council concentrating its efforts, human resources,” said Cllr Morris.

Cllr Niall Dennehy said AI is just a new phase of technological advancement.

“I suppose that AI has been with us in reality via man-made machines etc since the time of the Industrial Revolution. The diaphragm in a telephone headset for example mimics the human eardrum.

“The speed at which the evolution of technology is occurring is mind-boggling. Trying to ensure that Artificial Intelligence is used for good and not for evil is the challenge.

“Medicine, science and social activities are areas that can seriously benefit from AI, I would imagine,” said Cllr Dennehy.