Gwent’s public sector organisations are set to invest over £1.2 million in Amazon services as part of an artificial intelligence initiative.
The programme will utilise AWS Professional Services to create an AI Management Hub spanning multiple public service partners, along with a Pro Services Partner for the Digital Front Door scheme designed to handle public enquiries.
Due to the deep integration between computer systems across the four councils, Gwent Police, and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner with their current suppliers, the contract is being granted without competitive tendering under a legal exemption.
The AI Management Hub aims to enable safe integration of artificial intelligence into systems used by all partners, who have until now been using free AI tools that the Shared Resource Service considers a preventable risk.
Additionally, individual approaches to AI utilisation across the partners have resulted in deployment without proper integration or oversight, leading to duplicated efforts and inconsistent advancement.
The initial year of the contract will establish the secure AI management hub and core AI tools for employees as a controlled alternative to free AI tools, alongside implementing the Front Door system.
The SRS delivers technology services to Blaenau Gwent, Monmouthshire, Newport, and Torfaen councils, as well as the police force and police and crime commissioner.
Monmouthshire County Council has already agreed to allocate nearly £600,000 toward AI services through the SRS over a three-year period.
This allocation will cover a system designed to gather and organise data already collected by councils regarding children.
The contract details for the partnership appear in a report released by Torfaen Borough Council, which indicates the first-year cost will be £318,000 per partner or £1.272 million across all SRS partners.