Council trialling AI for special needs reports

Artificial intelligence (AI) is being trialled by a council in a bid to cut lengthy waiting times for children's special educational needs reports.

Somerset Council is looking to follow other authorities in England in using AI to help support and speed up daily admin tasks.

Councillor Heather Shearer, the Liberal Democrat lead for children, families and education, said it would only be used for basic reports and is in the "very early stages".

Somerset Parent Carers Forum said it had some initial concerns about how sensitive data would be shared but were willing to see the effectiveness of the trial.