Wokingham Borough Council is collaborating with Microsoft to advance its goal of leveraging digital innovation for better resident outcomes. The council is increasing its deployment of Microsoft Copilot across the organisation, which includes targeted training, adoption support, and the development of practical AI use cases designed to help services operate more efficiently.
Initial testing of Copilot across various services has shown its capability to assist with routine tasks such as drafting and refining content, summarising lengthy information, preparing for meetings, and enabling colleagues to find relevant information more rapidly. By reducing the time spent on administrative duties, the council intends to free up staff to concentrate on resident interaction, professional judgement, and high-value work. This strategy is also expected to help the council manage increasing demand, ensure greater consistency, and safeguard capacity for frontline services.
The programme will investigate opportunities for digital assistants and AI-supported workflows in service areas including social care, housing, and planning. Any new applications will undergo rigorous testing and will only be introduced if they offer a demonstrable benefit. The council is dedicated to employing AI safely, transparently, and responsibly. Copilot operates within the council’s existing Microsoft 365 environment, adhering to established access, security, and information governance controls.
Colleagues will retain responsibility for reviewing AI-generated content, verifying information, and all decision-making processes. AI is intended to support, not replace, professional expertise and human judgement. Cllr Basit Alvi, executive member for digital and change, stated: “Our ambition is to be at the frontier of responsible AI adoption to keep improving how we serve residents. This is not about technology for its own sake. It is about giving colleagues practical tools that reduce administration, improve access to information and create more time for the work that matters most. We will adopt AI carefully and responsibly. Our colleagues’ expertise, judgement and compassion remain essential, with Copilot there to support them rather than replace them.”
Amanda Sleight, General Manager, Public Sector UK at Microsoft, commented: “Wokingham Borough Council is focusing on practical AI use cases that can help colleagues save time and deliver better services for residents. With Copilot, the council is helping demonstrate how AI can support public sector organisations while maintaining strong governance, security and human oversight.”
