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Renfrewshire Council seeks regular public updates on artificial intelligence tools like its digital advisor Millie, aiming to bolster ethical oversight and address public concerns over AI in frontline services.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Renfrewshire Council is being urged to place transparency at the heart of its use of artificial intelligence, after councillors lodged a motion seeking regular public reporting on the technology now embedded in frontline services. According to the original report, the motion , tabled by SNP Councillor Robert Innes and seconded by Councillor Bruce MacFarlane , would require a six\u2011monthly “AI Transparency Report” to be presented to the relevant policy board detailing which tools are in use, their purpose and function, assessments undertaken and any risks identified. [1]<\/a><\/sup>[2]<\/a><\/sup>[5]<\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n The proposal frames transparency as a safeguard: “as AI becomes a larger part of public service delivery, ethical governance and transparent safeguards are essential to protect residents\u2019 rights, prevent bias and ensure AI continues to support key services and our valued workforce,” the motion states. It calls for ongoing oversight and updates to elected members as systems evolve. Industry data and council materials show Millie , Renfrewshire\u2019s AI\u2011powered digital advisor , is central to that evolution and is cited as evidence of both benefit and the need for scrutiny. [1]<\/a><\/sup>[5]<\/a><\/sup>[2]<\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n Renfrewshire became the first Scottish council to deploy an AI phone assistant when it launched Millie in November 2024. The council says Millie has handled more than 240,000 customer calls and contributed to 35,000 fewer calls to the contact centre compared with the previous year, freeing advisers to focus on complex enquiries and personalised support. The council and its technology partner describe Millie as trained on a custom organisational language model covering more than 1,000 council topics and offering 24\/7 assistance. [2]<\/a><\/sup>[3]<\/a><\/sup>[5]<\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n Yet Millie\u2019s roll\u2011out has not been uncontroversial. Local councillors and some residents have complained about the system\u2019s limitations, and critics have highlighted moments of public frustration. Speaking to the finance, resources and customer services policy board last month, Labour Councillor Chris Gilmour quipped: “I’m a great believer in machine learning… I just think the machine needs to learn a bit quicker.” The motion\u2019s advocates say a formal reporting cadence would address such concerns by making performance, assessments and mitigations visible to elected members and the public. [1]<\/a><\/sup>[7]<\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n The council\u2019s own statements describe the deployment as award\u2011winning: Millie won the Leading Innovation prize at the COSLA Excellence Awards 2025 and is named among projects underpinning a broader push for digital transformation across the authority. According to council releases, the success of the pilot has prompted a wider AI assessment to identify further service improvements and efficiencies , developments that the proposed transparency reports would capture and subject to scrutiny. [2]<\/a><\/sup>[6]<\/a><\/sup>[4]<\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n Placing transparency at the centre of AI governance would align Renfrewshire with wider public\u2011sector calls for accountable, ethical use of automated systems: the proposed six\u2011monthly report would record tools in use, purposes, data protection and equality assessments, changes since the prior report, and any identified risks, mitigations or recommendations for future deployment. If the motion is agreed at full council next Thursday, elected members will begin receiving those updates for consideration at the relevant board. [1]<\/a><\/sup>[5]<\/a><\/sup>[2]<\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n ##Reference Map:<\/p>\n\ud83d\udccc Reference Map:<\/h3>\n
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