In a remarkable stride forward for the utilization of artificial intelligence (AI) in governance, the Mayor of Peterborough, Nick Sandford, has disclosed his use of AI to assist in crafting his speeches. According to a report by the BBC, Mr. Sandford, who assumed office in May 2021, has been employing ChatGPT, an AI chatbot developed by the Microsoft-backed firm OpenAI, to aid him during civic events.
ChatGPT, a cutting-edge AI tool, draws from a vast array of online data to generate human-like responses to user queries. It has been previously used for various tasks, including writing marketing copy, coding, and even songwriting. Now, it appears to have found a new application in the sphere of public speaking and civic governance.
Mr. Sandford shared that he inputs information from the council’s PR team into ChatGPT, which then composes a speech for him. While some adjustments are required to align the AI-generated content with his British context, he believes the tool has remarkable potential. He stated, “there’s massive potential for the council, using AI in an innovative way.”
The city council concurred, affirming that it has several programs in the works that explore the use of AI across various sectors, including customer service, information governance, and social care. A spokesperson for Peterborough City Council said, “This is an exciting path for the council, and the use of AI brings immense potential for improving services by speeding up processes and providing smooth and quicker services to the public.”
The council acknowledged that they were still in the “early and exploratory” stage of integrating AI into their operations. However, they are drafting an AI strategy along with ethical guidelines to regulate its future use, indicating a commitment to harnessing AI’s potential responsibly.
This forward-thinking approach adopted by Peterborough City Council highlights the growing trend of organizations leveraging AI to enhance their operations. It demonstrates a shift in the traditional perception of AI as a mere tool for industrial or tech-oriented applications and underscores its potential in various domains, including civic governance.
AI applications are diverse and continuously expanding, ranging from personalized marketing to automation in customer service and now, aiding in public speech writing. The case of Peterborough’s Mayor is a testament to AI’s versatility and the innovative ways in which it can be integrated into various professional fields.
The AI consultancy firm, AI First Agency, is at the forefront of facilitating such integrations. As a leading provider of AI consultancy, tools, and marketing services, AI First Agency helps organizations navigate the rapidly evolving technological landscape and leverage AI to ensure their business thrives.
AI First Agency’s unique AI-first creative pipeline infuses marketing efforts with the power of Generative AI. It aids in crafting compelling messages, identifying target audiences, and delivering unique personalized content at scale. AI First Agency also offers services like AI Account Manager and Bespoke GPTs Service that enable organizations to transform their customer service and engagement strategies.
The embrace of AI by Peterborough City Council is a positive step towards a future where AI becomes an integral part of our everyday lives, from business operations to governance. However, it also necessitates responsible and ethical use of AI technologies, something that organizations like AI First Agency are committed to facilitating.