St Helens Borough Council takes centre stage at AI summit

Article date: 12 November 2025

Held at ACC Liverpool, the event - themed 'AI for Good' - was the second annual summit hosted by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and attracted a significantly larger audience than last year, including more than 200 students.

The summit explored how artificial intelligence can deliver positive social impact, focusing on four key themes:

• Collaboration and radically different partnerships
• Person-centred AI
• Trauma-informed innovation
• Ethical responsibility in technology

Representing St Helens Borough Council, Councillor Keith Laird, Cabinet Member for People, Performance & IT, spoke about the borough's strategic priorities and pioneering initiatives designed to improve outcomes for residents. 

Some of the initiatives showcased included an AI powered customer service assistant, technology enabled care hub to support independent living, and new ways of working like automating routine tasks so that the council's workforce can focus on using its skills and expertise. These efforts form part of St Helens' ambition to be a Smart Borough, making the most of digital and technology to deliver inclusive growth and better services.

Councillor Laird said:

"We're not only embracing innovation but leading the way in harnessing artificial intelligence to deliver smarter, more efficient public services. By integrating AI into key areas such as customer service and adult social care, the council is setting a benchmark for how local authorities can use technology to improve outcomes for residents. 

"This forward-thinking approach ensures that St Helens as a borough remains at the forefront of digital transformation, driving transparency, accessibility, and better decision-making for the community — all while pursuing our ambition to be one of the best digitally connected boroughs in the Liverpool City Region."