Somerset Council will invest £1.56 million in artificial intelligence and data improvements in a bid to deliver better services and reduce costs.

The funding, approved by the Council's Executive this week, will expand its AI and Data Team with 15 new roles — providing local tech employment and boosting the council's capacity to use digital tools more effectively.

Plans include building 'single views' of residents by linking data held across departments, enabling early identification of people in need and allowing quicker interventions before crisis point. Similar systems, like the existing Transform Family View, already combine safeguarding data from the Council, schools and partners to better support vulnerable children.

The investment forms part of Somerset Council's wider Inspiring Innovation transformation programme. Officials believe better data use could help detect issues such as debt, domestic abuse or health concerns sooner, ultimately preventing an estimated 256 families from becoming homeless each year.

Cllr Theo Butt Philip, Lead Member for Transformation, said the Council must "radically rethink how we operate" amid rising demand and costs. He described the new funding as a "long-term investment" in smarter working across all departments.

The money will come from capital funds already ringfenced for transformation projects and cannot be used for day-to-day services.

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