New research from Heriot-Watt University and GoLLM, the government-funded AI company, has uncovered how different UK nations and councils are beginning to use AI.

The 18-month study looked at 208 councils across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland to understand how ready local authorities are to adopt and use AI in public services.

The research highlights a mixed picture, with some councils moving quickly to build on their data, develop an AI culture, and deploy targeted tools, while many others remain at the first hurdles of building basic digital and data foundations.

Commenting on the geographical differences, Dr. Luciana Blaha, lead of the Intelligent Automation Systems Lab at Heriot-Watt University’s Edinburgh Business School, said: “In Northern Ireland, councils are beginning to explore AI on top of improving shared systems, but progress is constrained by funding pressures, limited internal capacity and the need for more stable digital foundations.”

“In Wales, most councils are still focused on building the basics of data and digital, taking careful first steps with tools such as chatbots and AI scribes under a strong national framework.”

When it comes to the two more populated nations of England and Scotland, the research painted a picture of how a coordinated national approach is benefitting Scotland, and how fragmentation is undeniably present within England.

On this, Dr. Blaha said: “In England, we saw some of the most advanced councils in the UK operating alongside others at the very earliest stages, reflecting how fragmented structures and different local conditions can shape what is realistically possible on the ground.”

Meanwhile, “In Scotland, we saw councils benefiting from a coordinated national approach, shared digital programmes and strong links with universities, which helped create more consistent data foundations and more confident early use of AI.”

Recommended reading

• Report: Only 4% of Firms Turn AI Investment into Scalable Value
• AI Bias Locking Women Out of Tech Growth
• UK Business Leaders Struggling to Cope With AI and Cyber Threats

In terms of how each nation’s councils are actually using AI in practice, the report found that in Northern Ireland, Belfast City Council is trialling generative AI to support communication and frontline services, while councils such as Lisburn and Castlereagh City and Mid and East Antrim Borough are using automation to streamline everyday internal processes.

In Wales, early adopters like Bridgend County Borough are introducing simple AI-powered chatbots to support residents, demonstrating how even small tools can make an immediate difference.

Across England, councils including Surrey County are moving ahead with practical tools such as AI-enabled pothole detection, helping road teams identify defects more quickly and safely, the research uncovered.

Lastly, in Scotland, councils including Fife and Glasgow City are using AI in waste and recycling, from automated sorting to advanced robotics that speed up materials processing.

Daniel Shorr, who’s a co-author of the report and CEO of GoLLM, commented on the findings: “This research turns a complicated landscape into a clear starting point for action.

“It shows that AI readiness isn’t determined by size alone, the councils pulling ahead are distinguished by leadership ambition, governance discipline, strategic clarity and stronger data capability.”

The report advocates that the UK can make the most progress by strengthening core digital foundations, including improving data quality, modernising legacy systems, and expanding shared digital platforms that councils can use together.

It also calls for clearer national co-ordination, better workforce skills, and stronger collaboration between councils, sector bodies, and universities, helping local authorities to adopt AI safely, consistently, and with greater confidence.