Kent County Council is to develop the use of artificial intelligence to trap bad drivers, track staff departures and send up drones, new policy papers have revealed.

The authority is also seeking to employ technology to identify crumbling roads and to better identify residents vulnerable to homelessness.

The subject came up for discussion as the council launched its policy document on AI and how it can be adapted for the business of local government.

In view of AI’s “spectacular growth”, KCC leader Cllr Roger Gough (Con) told the policy and resources committee the plans currently in place were “proportionate”.

He added: “I can see it enriching what we do as an organisation…and develop a better understanding of how we serve our population.”

Officers noted there is presently no legislation in place for AI but the council was bound by the constraints of the EU general data protection regulation (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act.

One use comes with speeding motorists.

The document states: “This involves the use of AI…to highlight road sections where road users are not compliant with newly-introduced speed limits in order to determine where further action may be required.”

On staffing, the policy says: “KCC has developed an algorithm to identify possible indicators of staff who may be likely to leave the organisation, in order to help the council better understand reasons behind turnover and improve staff retention."

AI is to be developed to support people in independent living using smart technology or using monitoring to generate data on how residents interact with their surroundings.

The Xantura project involves data sharing between KCC and district councils in Kent to identify residents' risk factors that may make them vulnerable to experiencing financial hardship or homelessness.

The ServiceNow Chatbot could help to streamline answering public queries, find relevant forms or deal with staff questions about computer systems or HR.

“It can direct staff into a chat with a human adviser if it is unable to assist,” the papers add.

The section of the policy titled “Route Reports Condition Survey” utilises video-based road condition monitoring AI cameras “to support the identification or highways defects, such as potholes, carriageway cracks or damaged road signs or markings”.

The papers add: “This information is provided to KCC’s transport planners, highways safety inspectors and engineers who use it to evaluate the highway condition and identify where further action is needed for repairs or resurfacing.”

Drones are being trialled to carry out inspections of vegetation, water, power and roadside utilities without using staff.

Leader of the Liberal Democrat group, Cllr Antony Hook, welcomed the AI document but said there is a need for a more positive use for the rapidly evolving technology.

Cllr Hook called for greater participation of younger members of staff whose suggestions could contribute to a “consortium of bright ideas”.

As for cost, the document says: “There are no financial implications in the development or establishing of this interim policy. Individual council projects that involve the development or use of AI technology will undoubtedly have cost implications that will be built into their respective business cases and project plans.”

Committee chairman Cllr David Brazier suggested all members should be invited to a cross-party briefing on AI.