Proudly delivered in partnership with LG Professionals NSW.
AI tools are increasingly embedded across businesses and organisations—and local governments are no exception. Beyond automating routine tasks, AI has the potential to enhance financial sustainability, boost productivity, and ease workforce pressures. This raises key questions for council leaders: How have other councils navigated the risks, balanced financial investment, and managed resources when adopting AI? What tangible benefits have they realised, and how might similar approaches strengthen service delivery and financial sustainability in your council?
In this Global Insight Online Forum, we will explore how two councils have advanced their use of AI—examining implementation processes, risk management strategies, outcomes, and future plans to support ongoing service improvements and long-term financial performance. The session is designed for council leaders, managers, and policy makers seeking practical, real-world insights into AI adoption.
Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how to align AI initiatives with broader council goals, integrate new technologies into everyday operations, and achieve measurable outcomes that enhance both financial and community sustainability. The forum will be delivered in an interactive Q&A format, allowing participants to ask questions and discuss challenges specific to their councils.
City of Pacifica, California (USA)
As a smaller coastal city operating among larger, better-resourced jurisdictions, the City of Pacifica faces structural fiscal constraints, workforce capacity pressures, and significant long-term infrastructure needs. Recognising these challenges as structural the City adopted an Integrated Fiscal Sustainability Framework focused on five elements: revenue stabilisation, organisational investment, economic development, housing growth, and partnerships and operational innovation.
As part of this strategy, Pacifica explored how technology could strengthen capacity without increasing staffing. The goal was to improve public access to accurate local information, reduce staff workload, and support consistent, data-informed decision-making. Through a defined governance framework, the City implemented Rose AI, the first in California municipal virtual assistant trained specifically on Pacifica’s municipal code, policies, and procedures. Deployment occurred in phases, beginning with internal staff support and expanding to resident-facing services, while maintaining monitoring and verification protocols. Today, Rose guides residents to permits and forms, explains local regulations, connects community members to City services, and reduces routine workload on staff.
The City of Pacifica will share their implementation journey, including the governance safeguards and steps involved in integrating Rose, the resources required, measurable outcomes and benefits to date, and lessons learned and future plans to further support staff and the community in strengthening fiscal sustainability and organisational resilience.
Whitehorse Council, VIC
Every council is grappling with the same question: how do you respond to growing and changing community expectations without expanding your workforce?
For Whitehorse Council, the answer hasn’t been about doing more with less. It has been about working differently. With a commitment to maintaining employee numbers over the next five years, the Council has focused on redesigning roles, building capability and introducing AI tools in practical ways that support both staff and service delivery.
This forum will share Whitehorse’s experience so far—what has worked, what has been challenging, and what they are still learning. With strong leadership support and a clear strategic direction, the AI adoption team is guiding a whole-of-organisation approach that balances financial sustainability with service improvement and workforce stability.
Participants will hear how the Council is planning for redeployment and new skill development, how staff are being supported through change, and how early wins are helping to build confidence across the organisation. Rather than presenting a finished model, Whitehorse will offer honest reflections and practical insights that other councils can adapt to their own context.
This session is designed for leaders and managers looking for realistic, achievable ways to strengthen financial sustainability while modernising processes and supporting their workforce. If your council is exploring how AI and organisational change can work hand in hand, this conversation will provide grounded insights and practical starting points.
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