THE CHALLENGE
Wyndham, one of Victoria’s fastest-growing municipalities, is a vibrant hub of diversity facing unprecedented growth. By 2040, the population is projected to surge by 217,000, reaching over 500,000 residents. This rapid expansion coincides with the rapid pace of digitalisation and advancements in technologies like AI, presenting both challenges and opportunities for local governance. Recognising the potential of AI to transform operations and enhance services, Wyndham City Council has taken a proactive stance, partnering with The Strategy Group to help build awareness of AI, develop a comprehensive AI policy and create a risk assessment framework to guide responsible AI adoption.
THE APPROACH
Developing an actionable roadmap to drive responsible AI implementation
The Strategy Group’s structured approach to Wyndham’s AI journey unfolded across four key phases, designed to ensure a responsible and practical implementation of AI technologies.
Phase One: Building AI Awareness
We began by engaging Council with clear and targeted communications, laying out the benefits of AI and its potential applications within the organisation through workshops, intranet pages and training materials.
Phase Two: Establishing Governance and Policy
Next, we set up an AI governance group and developed a comprehensive AI policy, supported by a risk assessment framework. This provided Council with the guardrails needed to give Council the confidence and licence to use AI responsibly.
Phase Three: Prioritising AI Use Cases
We designed a process for identifying, prioritising, and evaluating AI use cases, culminating in pilot projects across different areas of Council operations.
Phase Four: Pilot Execution and Outcomes
Each pilot was implemented with a detailed plan to ensure measurable, successful outcomes, setting the stage for broader AI adoption across the Council.
OUTCOMES
Empowering Wyndham City Council to navigate the future of AI
Our partnership with Wyndham City Council delivered key outcomes that positioned the Council to confidently and responsibly harness the power of AI.
AI Awareness and Excitement
Council leadership now possesses a clear understanding of AI’s potential, enabling them to make informed decisions about AI implementation.
Established AI Governance and Risk Mitigation
The creation of an AI governance group and risk assessment framework ensures that AI adoption is managed with clear oversight and mitigated risks, building trust in the use of AI technologies.
Strategic AI Pilots Successfully Launched
Several AI pilots have been launched, with measurable outcomes that have improved operational efficiency and delivered valuable insights for further AI projects.
Sustainable Roadmap for Future AI Use Cases
The Council now has a structured process to generate, prioritise, and evaluate future AI initiatives, ensuring a continuous path toward innovation.
