UK startup Phasecraft says its new THRIFT algorithm makes quantum simulations 10 times larger and longer, potentially unlocking major breakthroughs in materials, energy, and climate tech.

Breakthrough

Phasecraft, a Bristol- and London-based quantum computing startup, has announced what it calls the most significant leap yet in quantum simulation efficiency. Its new algorithm, THRIFT, allows simulations to run for ten times longer and at ten times the scale, a breakthrough that could accelerate discoveries in battery storage, sustainable materials, and climate-critical technologies.

Removes Limitations From Quantum Simulations

The advancement, published in Nature Communications, improves how quantum computers simulate complex physical systems. Unlike classical computers, which struggle to handle the vast number of possibilities within quantum mechanics, quantum computers are uniquely suited to model the changing behaviour of particles and molecules, but they’ve been limited by short run times and error-prone results. That’s what THRIFT aims to fix.

What Are Quantum Simulations And Why Do They Matter?

Quantum simulations are a way of using quantum computers to model how physical systems behave and change over time, especially at the atomic and molecular level. This includes things like how molecules interact in a new medicine, or how the internal structure of a battery changes as it charges and discharges. The value of such simulations is that they let scientists observe outcomes before running costly or time-consuming experiments in the real world.

Promising For Sustainability

The potential for more efficient quantum simulations is especially powerful for sustainability challenges. For example:

– Creating more efficient batteries by simulating materials at the quantum level.

– Designing catalysts for cleaner hydrogen production.

– Modelling carbon capture processes or low-impact construction materials.

However, until now, simulations on quantum hardware have been severely limited, often too small or too short to provide truly useful data.

What Makes Phasecraft’s ‘THRIFT’ Approach Different?

THRIFT, which stands for Trotter Heuristic Resource Improved Formulas for Time-dynamics, is Phasecraft’s new method for breaking down and simulating complex quantum systems more efficiently. The core idea lies in how quantum simulations evolve over time. Traditional methods divide these evolutions into small time steps using a “Trotter” formula. The problem is that they treat all interactions equally, which bloats the simulation and leads to unnecessary operations.

“Existing methods are slow, resource-intensive, and struggle to scale,” says Raul Santos, Lead Quantum Scientist at Phasecraft. “They use a high number of quantum gates to maintain accuracy, but this becomes impractical as the simulation grows.”

However, THRIFT counters these issues by prioritising the parts of the system that matter most. For example, some interactions evolve more slowly or contribute less to the overall behaviour of the system, so THRIFT allocates fewer computational resources to them. This streamlined process dramatically reduces the number of quantum operations required, cutting errors and allowing for much longer and more detailed simulations.

Simulations 10x Larger and 10x Longer

In trials, THRIFT improved estimates for a widely used benchmark in quantum physics, the one-dimensional transverse-field Ising model, achieving simulations 10x larger and 10x longer than with standard methods, without increasing circuit size or computational cost.

Built for Today’s Quantum Machines

One of the key strengths of THRIFT is that it works on today’s imperfect quantum computers and is not just designed for the powerful machines of the future. Quantum hardware is still ‘noisy’, meaning it’s prone to errors and has limited capacity. Phasecraft’s innovation, however, appears to be in designing software that maximises what’s possible even on current-generation devices.

“We’ve shown a 10x increase on today’s machines,” says Santos. “And we’d expect this to only get better as hardware advances and quantum computers become better at tolerating errors.”

Focusing On Working With Today’s Hardware

Rather than waiting for quantum hardware to mature, Phasecraft appears to be focusing on making the most of what’s available today. The hope is that this approach will put the company in a strong position as Big Tech continues to pour investment into next-generation quantum processors, including Google’s Willow chip, Microsoft’s Majorana platform, and Amazon’s Ocelot. As Phasecraft’s Raul Santos says: “This algorithm enhances efficiency on near-term devices, like those Google and Microsoft have announced,” and that “Any improvements in their performance can only enhance our approach.”

Real-World Impact

The theory is that the longer and more detailed the simulation, the better scientists can understand how a system behaves and ultimately design better materials and molecules. This means Phasecraft’s THRIFT breakthrough could open the door to real-world applications in areas where incremental efficiency gains could have massive sustainability impacts. For example, as Phasecraft CEO and co-founder Ashley Montanaro says:

“Work by Raul and the team has delivered the highest-performance quantum algorithms known for simulating some prominent and well-studied physical systems. This improvement will push us closer to real-world quantum applications in materials science, chemistry, and beyond.”

Examples of areas where it could make a real difference include:

– Energy Storage. More accurate simulations of battery chemistries could reduce the need for rare and environmentally damaging materials.

– Pharmaceuticals. Simulating molecular interactions more precisely could speed up drug development and reduce lab waste.

– Manufacturing. Discovering lighter or more durable materials through simulation can lower emissions across supply chains.

The point is that it’s not just about speed, but it’s about being able to run simulations that were previously impossible. This could fundamentally reshape how innovation happens in sectors critical to net-zero goals.

Challenges and Next Steps

Despite the reported progress, Phasecraft’s achievement doesn’t mean quantum simulations are ready for widespread commercial use just yet. THRIFT has so far been tested on a simplified benchmark, i.e. the Ising model which, while important, doesn’t fully represent the complexity of real-world systems.

There’s also the broader challenge of access. Running quantum simulations still requires deep technical expertise and partnerships with hardware providers. Although Phasecraft collaborates with companies like Google, IBM, and QuEra, the barrier to entry remains high for most organisations.

Energy use is another factor. While quantum computers promise efficiency gains in the long run, current machines require cryogenic cooling and specialised environments, which come with their own environmental footprint. For now, those costs must be weighed against the potential gains in simulation efficiency.

What Does This Mean For Your Organisation?

In enabling longer, larger, and more efficient simulations on existing hardware, Phasecraft’s THRIFT algorithm essentially brings practical quantum applications closer, particularly in areas such as energy storage, materials design, and low-impact manufacturing.

For UK businesses and organisations, this could pave the way for faster development of green technologies, from energy storage systems and new materials to more efficient chemical processes. Companies working in advanced manufacturing, cleantech, and pharmaceuticals could benefit from earlier and more accurate testing and from reducing the risks and costs involved in developing sustainable solutions. As the UK looks to maintain its edge in science-led innovation, the ability to work with cutting-edge quantum tools, developed on home soil, could also become a valuable strategic asset.

In essence here, rather than simply accepting the limitations of current quantum hardware and waiting for future machines to deliver breakthroughs, Phasecraft’s work shows that smart software (grounded in real scientific insight) can start delivering value now. That approach could influence how other startups, institutions and governments think about the role of quantum technologies in addressing real-world challenges, from climate resilience to resource efficiency.

That said, there’s still a long way to go. Scaling these simulations to solve complex, real-world problems will require further advances in both algorithms and hardware. Access to quantum platforms remains limited, and widespread commercial adoption is still some way off. However, by closing the gap between theoretical potential and practical application, Phasecraft’s THRIFT algorithm brings quantum computing one step closer to playing a meaningful role in shaping a more sustainable future.

ChatGPT has recently made a dramatic difference to the images you can produce and this video provides five examples of how it can be used – impressive stuff!

[Note – To Watch This Video without glitches/interruptions, It may be best to download it first]

Did you know your phone can double up as a magnifying glass? If you don’t have your glasses to hand, this built-in feature lets you zoom in on labels, menus or instructions using your phone’s camera, perfect when you’re out and about.

How To Use It On iPhone:

– Open the Settings app.
– Tap ‘Accessibility’, then select ‘Magnifier’.
– Toggle it on — this adds the Magnifier app to your device.
– You can now open it from the Home Screen, App Library, or Control Centre.
– Or, go to ‘Accessibility Shortcut’, select ‘Magnifier’, and triple-click the side button (or Home button) to activate it.
– Use the on-screen slider to zoom in, turn on the torch for better lighting, or take a freeze-frame if the image is shaky.

How To Use It On Android:

Most Android phones don’t have a built-in magnifier app, but there are plenty of free camera-based magnifier apps available.

– Open the Google Play Store.
– Search for “Magnifying Glass” or “Magnifier + Flashlight”.
– Choose a well-reviewed app.
– Once installed, open the app and point your camera at the text or object.
– Use the zoom slider and built-in light to make things clearer. Some apps also let you freeze the image for a closer look.

Whether you’re reading tiny ingredients on packaging or checking small print on a form, this is one of the quickest ways to turn your phone into a real-world accessibility tool – no internet required.

In this week’s featured article, we look at how a false murder claim by ChatGPT has fuelled fresh concerns over AI accuracy and hallucinations.

A Father Falsely Accused by AI

In quite a shocking story, a Norwegian man has filed a formal complaint after ChatGPT falsely claimed he murdered two of his sons! The case, now lodged with Norway’s data protection authority (Datatilsynet), is raising serious questions about AI hallucinations and how companies like OpenAI are handling personal data.

Who Is Arve Hjalmar Holmen?

Arve Hjalmar Holmen, the man at the centre of the complaint, is what you might call a private citizen. He’s not a public figure, has no criminal record, and lives with his family in Trondheim (Norway) and yet when he typed his own name into ChatGPT last year, the chatbot responded with a chilling story.

Holmen alleges that ChatGPT claimed he had been convicted of killing two of his sons, attempting to murder a third, and had been sentenced to 21 years in prison! It even mentioned the tragic event “shocked the local community and the nation”. The only issue (and quite a large one) here is that it never happened.

Scared

Holmen is reported to have said that the fact that other people could read this bizarre output and believe it is true scared him.

Although the key claim was inaccurate, it seems that the AI’s fictional story didn’t come entirely out of thin air. For example, it correctly mentioned that Holmen lives in Trondheim and has three sons. The ages in the fabricated account also eerily mirrored the real age gap between his children.

It’s been reported that Holmen has said he tried to contact OpenAI, but received only a generic response. It seems therefore that frustratedly, he turned to noyb, a European digital rights group, which has now filed an official GDPR complaint on his behalf.

The Legal Challenge

The complaint accuses OpenAI of breaching Article 5(1)(d) of the GDPR, which requires organisations to ensure that personal data is accurate and kept up to date. Noyb argues that the company should delete the output and “fine-tune” its model to prevent further harm to Holmen’s reputation.

They are also calling for the Norwegian data authority to impose a fine. In the words of Joakim Söderberg, noyb’s legal officer: “You can’t just spread false information and in the end add a small disclaimer saying that everything you said may just not be true”.

What Are AI Hallucinations?

The Holmen case is the latest example of what the industry calls a “hallucination”, i.e. when an AI system makes something up and presents it as fact.

These errors are surprisingly common in large language models like ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini. For example, just last year, Gemini suggested people glue cheese to pizza and eat rocks for health reasons!

These so-called ‘hallucinations’ are a result of how these AI models work. For example, rather than “knowing” facts, they predict the most likely next word or phrase based on patterns in vast amounts of text. This can produce convincingly written (but totally inaccurate) results.

As Professor Simone Stumpf of the University of Glasgow explains: “Even if you are involved in the development of these systems… quite often, you do not know how they actually work, why they’re coming up with this particular information.”

OpenAI’s Response

OpenAI has acknowledged the incident but says it relates to an older version of ChatGPT. The company says it has since rolled out a new model with internet search capabilities, which it says improves accuracy.

However, the original conversation remains in OpenAI’s system, and critics say more needs to be done to prevent such reputational damage in the future.

What Does This Mean For Your Business?

This story raises a pressing question, i.e. how much trust can individuals and businesses place in today’s most powerful tech platforms? We see how AI can cause very real harm through inaccuracies that feel all too plausible.

For individuals like Arve Hjalmar Holmen, the (alleged) damage caused by false AI-generated content is deeply personal, but the implications extend far beyond a single case. As generative AI becomes increasingly embedded in everything from customer service to search engines, the risks around misinformation, defamation, and lack of accountability are growing more serious. For regulators and privacy advocates, this case could become a key reference point in the broader push to bring AI development in line with data protection laws, especially in Europe, where the GDPR offers some of the strongest safeguards.

Google Cloud has just signed one of the biggest cybersecurity deals in history with a bold $32 billion all-cash agreement to acquire Wiz, a fast-growing cloud security firm.

Awaiting Approval

The deal, still subject to regulatory approval, signals Google’s most aggressive move yet to close the gap with rivals Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Microsoft Azure, while doubling down on multicloud and AI-driven cybersecurity.

Who Is Wiz and Why Does It Matter?

Wiz, founded in 2020 by former Microsoft cloud executives, has quickly become one of the most talked-about players in cloud security. The company offers an agentless, user-friendly platform that helps organisations identify and remediate security risks across all major cloud providers, including AWS, Azure, Oracle Cloud, and yes, Google Cloud too.

Rather than waiting for breaches to occur, Wiz scans cloud environments continuously, maps out all assets and their connections, and flags high-risk vulnerabilities in real-time. Its promise is straightforward: understand your entire cloud environment, see where the threats are, and fix them before attackers can exploit them.

For example, if a developer accidentally leaves a storage bucket open to the internet or misconfigures a sensitive workload, Wiz alerts security teams, and even helps them prioritise the most critical risks. This “code-to-cloud” view has made it hugely popular with everyone from nimble start-ups to sprawling enterprise IT teams and public sector bodies.

Results

The results speak for themselves. For example, in just under five years, Wiz has reached an estimated $700 million annual revenue run rate, with projections it would have crossed $1 billion within a year. That makes it one of the fastest-growing software companies in history (and a highly attractive acquisition target).

Why Is Google Buying Wiz Now?

Google Cloud may be strong on paper, with top-tier infrastructure, AI expertise, and a solid security record. However, it remains a distant third in the cloud infrastructure race, trailing AWS (30 per cent global market share) and Microsoft Azure (21 per cent) by a wide margin. Google Cloud sits at around 12 per cent (Statista).

This acquisition by Google Cloud is designed to change that. By bringing Wiz into the fold, Google is looking to supercharge its credibility with enterprise customers and respond to two urgent trends in tech:

1. The surge in multicloud use. Most large organisations now use a mix of cloud providers for different workloads. That makes managing security even harder — and makes a vendor-agnostic platform like Wiz essential.

2. The rising cybersecurity threat landscape. As more businesses go digital and deploy AI-driven systems, the complexity of defending modern IT environments is exploding. Wiz offers a way to simplify that defence — and make it more proactive.

In a recent blog post, Thomas Kurian, CEO of Google Cloud, summed it up clearly: “Multicloud is something our customers want… Our commitment to multicloud means that new IT projects an organisation does with Google Cloud can work with their existing IT investments.”

Kurian also noted that AI is accelerating this trend: “AI architectures typically see large enterprises pool data from multiple places… This means multicloud protection is more critical than security for a centralised cache of data.”

Multicloud or Bust

Interestingly, Google is not planning to make Wiz a Google Cloud-only tool, and that’s no accident.

Wiz’s success has been built on its neutrality. Many of its customers don’t even use Google Cloud. If Google were to make Wiz exclusive, it could easily drive those users into the arms of competitors. That’s the most likely reason why the company has gone to great lengths to reassure customers that Wiz will continue to work seamlessly across all major cloud platforms.

In fact, as part of the deal, Google and Wiz have even earmarked an additional $1 billion retention package to keep key staff and leadership in place (including CEO Assaf Rappaport) and ensure continuity for clients.

As Wiz’s Rappaport puts it: “Wiz and Google Cloud are fully committed to continue supporting and protecting customers across all major clouds, helping keep them safe and secure wherever they operate.”

For Google, this “multicloud-first” positioning also helps defuse potential antitrust concerns. The deal comes at a time when Big Tech M&A activity is being watched closely by regulators in both the US and Europe. Emphasising openness, competition, and customer choice could make the acquisition easier to push through.

What’s in It for Google Cloud Customers?

From a business standpoint, the deal could be seen as a major play to strengthen Google Cloud’s value proposition to enterprise and government buyers. By integrating Wiz into its broader portfolio, alongside Mandiant, Google Security Operations, and its AI threat intelligence tools, Google hopes to create a unified, AI-optimised security platform that:

– Helps customers detect, prevent and respond to cloud threats faster.

– Lowers the cost and complexity of managing security across hybrid and multicloud environments.

– Boosts productivity of cybersecurity teams with automated tools and AI-powered agents.

– Provides “measurable defence” by helping teams test and validate their own security controls.

Example

As an example of how this could work, a large bank (e.g. using AWS for customer-facing apps, Azure for internal services, and Google Cloud for AI modelling) can now use Wiz to monitor all those environments from a single dashboard. That unified approach, backed by Google’s infrastructure and AI muscle, is what the tech giant hopes will make its cloud platform more attractive.

Wiz’s tools will also remain available via the Google Cloud Marketplace and other partner channels, giving system integrators and resellers access to a much broader toolkit for customers.

A $32 Billion Price Tag (And Plenty of Pressure)

At $32 billion, the acquisition is the largest in Google’s history, and one of the biggest cybersecurity deals ever made. To put that into perspective, it’s more than 3x the price Google paid for Motorola Mobility in 2012, and well above the $5.4 billion Amazon spent acquiring MGM Studios in 2022.

It’s also far above Wiz’s most recent private valuation, which was reportedly around $10 billion. So why the premium?

Partly, it reflects the sheer scale of the opportunity. Cloud security is one of the fastest-growing segments in enterprise IT. According to Gartner, global spending on cloud security is expected to top $18 billion in 2025, up from $13.5 billion in 2023.

Google sees Wiz not just as a product, but as a platform, and one that could become the default choice for securing modern cloud-native and AI-driven systems. The acquisition could give Google a critical edge as AI becomes more embedded in everything from healthcare to finance to national infrastructure.

However, it also raises expectations. With such a steep price tag, the pressure will now be really on Google to show real returns not just in terms of revenue, but in market share gains and customer trust.

What This Means for the Rest of the Cloud Market

For competitors like AWS and Microsoft, the acquisition of Wiz is a clear signal that Google is not backing down in the cloud wars. It’s a bet on openness, AI integration, and simplified security, and it’s likely to accelerate innovation across the industry.

However, some analysts have warned that integrating Wiz successfully won’t be easy. Cultural clashes, product overlaps, and customer scepticism could all pose challenges. There are also questions around whether Wiz’s lean, start-up-style pace can be maintained under the umbrella of a tech giant like Google.

Still, if Google can pull it off, the payoff could be significant. As cyber threats grow more sophisticated and cloud environments become ever more complex, customers will be looking for solutions that just work, regardless of where their data lives. That’s essentially the promise Google is betting $32 billion on.

What Does This Mean For Your Business?

By snapping up one of the most agile and highly regarded multicloud security firms on the market, Google has positioned itself to offer something that many enterprise customers have long been asking for, i.e. a single, unified security platform that doesn’t demand vendor lock-in and can evolve with their increasingly complex IT environments.

For Google, this is about more than plugging a gap in its offering. It’s a strategic move to become a serious contender for the next wave of cloud growth, where AI, hybrid systems, and multicloud deployments are the norm. If it can successfully integrate Wiz and maintain the platform’s independence and speed of innovation, it may finally start to close the distance between itself and the cloud giants that have dominated the space for years.

For UK businesses, from financial institutions and healthcare providers to the growing ecosystem of digital-native start-ups, the benefits could be substantial. Many are already juggling data across multiple platforms, wrestling with compliance demands like GDPR, and navigating increasingly sophisticated cyber threats. A more integrated, intelligent and cloud-agnostic security solution could offer much-needed simplification, cost efficiency, and peace of mind. At the same time, UK-based security consultancies, MSPs and technology partners may find new opportunities through the Google Cloud Marketplace and expanded integrations with Wiz’s tools.

However, the deal is not without its challenges. Regulatory scrutiny remains a looming question, and customers will be watching closely to see whether Google can truly preserve Wiz’s independence in practice. There’s also the risk that the sheer scale of the acquisition could dilute what made Wiz successful in the first place: its speed, focus, and user-friendly approach.

All that said, in a market crying out for more flexible, AI-ready security solutions, this acquisition may be exactly the kind of move Google needed. Whether it pays off, and whether customers, partners and regulators will buy into Google’s multicloud pitch, remains to be seen. One thing, however, is clear – the race to secure the cloud just entered a new phase, and Google has firmly placed its bet.

In a new internal report, Cheshire East Council says it could save as much as £60 million over the next five years by leveraging artificial intelligence (AI).

Smart Technology Shift

The report highlights how AI could transform everything from customer service to social care, while tackling the authority’s ongoing financial struggles. The plan is part of a broader shift across UK councils to use smart technology to plug budget gaps, improve services, and cut red tape.

Why AI And Why Now?

Cheshire East, like many other UK local authorities, is under serious financial pressure. Its leaders have already warned of an eye-watering £25.3 million funding gap for the 2025–26 financial year. To help cover its day-to-day spending, the council has now secured exceptional financial support from central government for the second year running – essentially permission to borrow to stay afloat.

It seems, therefore, that against this challenging backdrop, the idea of using AI to deliver better services for less money is fast becoming not just an idea, but a necessity.

The council’s internal report, which is due to be discussed by the corporate policy committee, outlines a bold “transformation plan”. It suggests that artificial intelligence could be used across several departments to make services faster, more accurate and far less reliant on overstretched staff.

Where AI Could Make The Biggest Difference

The report identifies three key areas where AI could deliver the biggest impact: customer service, adult social care and children’s services. For example:

– Customer contact centres. The council wants to reduce the number of calls handled by humans by introducing AI-powered virtual assistants and chatbots. These tools can handle routine queries and direct people to the right services automatically, thereby cutting wait times and staffing costs.

– Adult Social Care. AI could streamline assessments and care planning, especially for complex cases. Tools could help staff identify needs earlier, coordinate support more efficiently and reduce duplication of work, thereby freeing up social workers to focus on people rather than paperwork.

– Children’s Services. The council thinks that AI might also help with tasks like processing Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) more quickly. The report suggests this could reduce waiting times for families and cut costs by finding more suitable (and often less expensive) placements for children earlier in the process.

In total, the report suggests that the estimated savings from using AI could range between £40 million and £60 million over a five-year period. The report also highlights how, after that, annual savings of up to £14 million could continue. As the report says, “These benefits will be realised through improved service delivery, reduced costs, and enhanced operational efficiency”.

Not The Only Council Using AI

Cheshire East isn’t the only authority turning to AI to help solve deep-rooted challenges. Across the UK, other councils are trialling a wide range of AI-driven tools and platforms, with some already reporting significant savings and improved outcomes. Some examples include:

– London Borough of Sutton is using smart sensors on everyday appliances (like fridges and kettles) to help monitor elderly residents living independently. If someone doesn’t make a cup of tea in the morning or open the fridge, carers get an alert. It’s a simple but effective way to spot problems early and avoid emergency call-outs.

– Blackpool Council has started using AI-equipped vehicles to detect potholes before they become serious hazards. The technology can map the condition of roads in real-time, allowing for proactive maintenance and fewer costly insurance claims.

– Coventry City Council, working with energy provider E.ON, has launched a 15-year smart energy partnership. AI-enabled drones carry out thermal imaging surveys to detect where heat is escaping from homes – allowing residents to insulate more effectively and cut energy bills.

– Dorset Council is piloting AI-driven acoustic monitoring in care homes. These devices alert staff to unusual noises at night, helping them check on residents without disturbing them unnecessarily. It’s already led to faster response times and better care planning.

Government Is Backing The Shift

The UK government is actively encouraging councils and other public bodies to adopt AI. As part of its wider “Plan for Change”, ministers want to see up to £45 billion in efficiency savings across public services, with AI being central to that goal.

One example is the introduction of tools like “Humphrey”, an AI assistant developed to support civil servants with admin tasks such as summarising documents and generating reports.

In health and social care, the Department of Health and Social Care is also investing in AI pilots through the Digitising Social Care Programme. These trials, including those in Dorset, are seen as a way to test what works and scale it up quickly.

What Are The Risks?

Despite the promise of AI, it’s not without controversy. For example, there are concerns about how personal data will be used (privacy), especially in sensitive areas like social care and children’s services. Councils must, therefore, tread carefully to ensure they comply with data protection laws and maintain public trust.

There’s also the issue of accuracy. AI systems are only as good as the data they’re trained on. If the data is incomplete or biased (or there are ‘AI hallucinations’ – AI making things up), the outcomes can be misleading, with potentially serious consequences when it comes to making decisions about vulnerable people.

There’s also the question of AI’s impact on jobs. For example, if AI can automate many routine tasks, it may lead to reduced staffing levels in some departments. That could mean job losses, or at the very least, significant changes to how council employees work.

That said, many people in UK local authorities are aware that AI is just one tool that can help and is not the answer to all the problems they face. For example, as one local government technology expert put it: “AI is not a silver bullet. It has the potential to support better services and reduce costs – but only if it’s implemented carefully, with real oversight and a focus on outcomes.”

What Does This Mean For Your Business?

While the promise of AI-driven efficiency might once have felt like a distant ambition, it seems it’s now becoming a practical solution to the very real financial strain facing councils across the UK. However, Cheshire East’s plan to wholeheartedly embrace AI isn’t just a tech upgrade but is more of a survival strategy. By rethinking how services are delivered and where time and money are being lost, the council is hoping to modernise its operations in ways that could have lasting benefits for both staff and residents.

For UK businesses, especially those operating in the tech and digital services sectors, councils embracing AI could mean new business opportunities. For example, as councils look to adopt AI, they will need software developers, data analysts, compliance consultants and implementation partners, thereby opening the door to greater public sector collaboration. More broadly, the move towards AI in local government could also raise the bar in terms of customer experience and data use, pushing businesses to adopt similar innovations to stay competitive and relevant.

The Cheshire East example shows how AI is no longer just the preserve of private tech giants. It’s entering town halls, social work offices, and call centres and is quietly reshaping the machinery of local government. If done properly, it could usher in a new era of smarter, leaner public services. However, councils must proceed with care, ensuring that the benefits of AI are fairly distributed and that those who rely on public services continue to feel supported, not sidelined.